Routine 3-1 wins for Benfica over Gil Vicente and FC Porto against Vítoria Guimarães have virtually ensured that the title will be fought out between these two.
It is Sporting who are struggling to maintain a high profile and their lacklustre performance against Olhanense will have done little to assuage their restless fans. Sporting’s problems continue to mount.
In the League Cup game against Second Division Moreirense, the score was 1-1 when they were awarded a penalty in stoppage time. Matias Fernandez stepped up to take the kick but was pushed aside by striker Bojinov despite protests from his team-mates. The Bulgarian international missed the spot-kick and now faces disciplinary action from the club.
For the game with Olhanense the Lisbon outfit were also without the suspended Elias, whilst Rodriguez, Rinaudo and Van Wolfswinkel were ruled out through injury. To add to their woes Stijn Schaars was injured during the warm-up and replaced by Daniel Carrico in midfield. Olhanense’s new boss, Sérgio Conceição, made just one change to the side that defeated Beira-Mar 2-1 the previous week, Fernando Alexandre replacing Paulo Regula in midfield.
Sporting had the better of the early exchanges but the middle period of the half undeniably belonged to Olhanense. Caue’s header flew just wide whilst at the other end keeper Fabiano pulled off a fine save to deny Carrillo. Sergio Conceição’s men slowly forced Sporting back into their own half.
Salvador Agra and Caue were particularly lively, whilst captain Rui Duarte produced a number of pinpoint crosses from the multitude of free kicks awarded by the referee. Moments after the re-start an Olhanense counter attack saw Yontcha crash a sliding effort off the crossbar.
The Lions then almost took the lead when a short corner to Capel was flicked on to Anderson Polga at the back post, but Fabiano again made a fine save.
It was during the final 20 minutes that Sporting had to call on ‘Man-of-Match’ Rui Patricio in order to maintain an interest in the game. Firstly, the Portugal number one scrambled to his right to block a fierce effort from Wilson Eduardo, but that was to be surpassed by a brilliant double save minutes later.
An Olhanense counter attack saw Rui Duarte play the ball to Agra whose cross found the unmarked Wilson Eduardo.
Incredibly Patricio got across to block the shot, and then raised himself to palm Yontcha’s thunderous volley over the bar. The result will be a boost for the home side although Sérgio Conceição felt his side should have taken all three points. Sporting, nine games without a win, slip further behind Braga and Marítimo in the battle for the third Champions League spot. On Sunday hundreds of Olhanense fans are expected to make the trip to Vitoria de Setúbal, Olhanense’s closest opponents 260 kilometres away!
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