Sporting needed to win and did so with a convincing display that leaves the green and white four points behind third-placed Sp. Braga and nine behind leaders FC Porto.
Match summary: Pressed to win, pressured to prove themselves, Marcel Keizer’s Sporting entered Sunday in Alvalade, against Sporting de Braga, completely loose and started for a triumph without contest (3-0).
With a few tactical changes in eleven, apart from the change in the starting line-up against Villarreal, Braga seems to have been surprised by Sporting’s positioning.
Controlling the incidences in the midfield with a double defensive pivot, formed by Wendel and Gudelj, Keizer dropped in the front three true devils for the Braga defence.
Bruno Fernandes and Diaby were glued to the back of Bas Dost the goal of Tiago Sá was constantly threatened. The goal, that one, arrived off the stopper ball, after half an hour of the game, with a shot, without angle, of Bruno Fernandes of free direct.
At the end of the first half, apathetic, the formation led by Abel Ferreira tried to force the goal, but without success, since the green and white defence was ‘right’.
In the second half, Sporting came back to press and loose, with Sporting de Braga changing a piece in the initial chess he presented in Alvalade, with the departure of Esgaio to the entrance of Wilson Eduardo.
With difficulty in reaching the attack, with Renan practically as a spectator during the first half, Braga saw Sporting advance again in the marker of the penalty mark, after a good move of Diaby. Bas Dost, who else, scored, throwing the ball to the side and the goalkeeper to another.
Needing to run after the result, the Braga formation hit Renan’s goal for the first time at minute 63, by Wilson Eduardo.
Aware of the need to shake the game as he prepared to move, Abel saw his team take a new goal. After a short run from the left wing, Bruno Fernandes almost gave the home side the lead with an unexpected free kick set up, but the visitors’ João Novais would leave seconds later, for the entrance of Aílton.
Until the end of the match, highlight the lowering of Sporting lines, promoting several changes and the lack of solutions of the Bracarans, who never managed to annoy Renan.
The highlight of the match must be given to Wendel, a true working ant, either defensively or to turn on the offensive game of his team, leaving Bruno Fernandes looser for offensive missions.
Time of game: Free of Bruno unlocked the game. The Bruno Fernandes goal, still in the first half, made the lions breathe with relief and everything became easier for Keizer’s commanders.
