Sporting beat Estrela da Amadora 5-1 to make it a perfect ten; Amorim explains his departure to Manchester United
Despite the most disruptive of weeks possible, despite never clicking into top gear, and despite a spirited display by struggling Estrela da Amadora, Sporting continued their flawless start to the defence of the Portuguese Liga title with a 5-1 thrashing of their Lisbon neighbours tonight.
Viktor Gyökeres continued his magnificent season, scoring four times to make it 20 goals in 16 games for the Lions this season. Maxi Araújo put the icing on the cake with his first goal for the club.
Although well beaten, Estrela made a game of it, especially in the first half when Rodrigo Pinho reduced the deficit to 2-1 and only a series of sharp saves by Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel and a VAR decision prevented the visitors from scoring more. Tom Kundert reports from Alvalade.
Amorim explains his departure
A strong contingent of foreign journalists made their way to Lisbon tonight with little interest in the match, the football world still digesting the fact that a 39-year-old Portuguese coach whose work is relatively unknown beyond the borders of his home country has been handed the reins at one of the biggest football clubs in the world.
Rúben Amorim, officially confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager earlier today, had said he would explain everything in the post-match interview, and he was at his communicative best in doing so. So let us start with the main quotes from Amorim after the match tonight. (Apologies for spelling/grammatical mistakes – more than usual – but I was translating simultaneously)
Rúben Amorim: "At start of the season I talked to president and said whatever happens this is my last season at Sporting. The season started very well, then Man Utd appeared and paid the clause. I never argued with the president."
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) November 1, 2024
Rúben Amorim: "I asked United if it could be at the end of the season. It was what I wanted. United said no. It was now or never. So I had to make a decision. This is exactly the context I wanted [United struggling] because I can do things my way."
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) November 1, 2024
Rúben Amorim: "There is no Sporting fan who wanted me to stay until the end of the season more than I did. But it wasn't possible. Some people say it's for money. It's not. Other clubs were prepared to pay 3 times more and I refused. This is the club (United) I wanted."
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) November 1, 2024
Rúben Amorim: (on why you can turn United round when so many have failed after Sir Alex, question in English) "I understand why you ask the question but tonight I would like to explain to the Sportinguistas this process. We'll have time for these questions on the 11th."
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) November 1, 2024
Rúben Amorim: "I'm going to take my coaching staff with me. We've been together since Casa Pia. It was one of the conditions."
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) November 1, 2024
Rúben Amorim (on the Sporting fans being divided; buying Sporitng players in January): "I'm not going to come for any Sporting player in January. These years at Sporting have been the best years of my life. Everyone knows how much I loved it here. But it's not my farewell yet!"
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) November 1, 2024
Rúben Amorim: "It was an extraordinarily enticing challenge that I couldn't refuse."
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) November 1, 2024
Rúben Amorim: "The Sporting structure has improved in all areas and it's not all down to me. The club is very well prepared and will continue to win."
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) November 1, 2024
Sporting 5-1 Estrela match report
Given what had happened during the week, it would perhaps be asking too much for the team to be unaffected by the hullaballoo surrounding Amorim’s switch to Manchester United.
Little surprise therefore that Sporting seemed off it in a disjointed first-half display, where a surprisingly ambitious Estrela caused the Lions plenty of problems. Nilton Varela especially was giving Geovany Quenda a tough time with his speed and trickery on the left wing, one run and cross necessitating Gonçalo Inácio to make a vital interception to deny Bucca. Inácio then appeared at the other end of the pitch, coming close with a header into the side-netting.
Nothing appears to affect the performance level of Viktor Gyökeres though. The Swede broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, taking advantage of an attempt by Ferro to cut out a ball that turned into a perfect assist. Thank you very much said the Sporting No9 as he smashed the ball past Bruno Brígido into the net from a tight angle.
Estrela continued to push plenty of men forward, and were desperately close to equalising in the 26th minute. Franco Israel pulled off a fantastic save from Bucca’s powerful shot, the ball fell perfectly to Danilo Veiga, but he only succeeded in blasting over a gaping open goal.
Gyökeres at the double
The miss was soon punished as Dramé carelessly lost the ball in a dangerous position, Trincão immediately feeding Gyökeres who produced a rocket finish into the top corner.
Estrela reduced the deficit almost straight away, Rodrigo Pinho heading him from close range after Israel had pulled off a miraculous save to save the striker’s initial effort.
In a game full of goalmouth action, Sporting went straight back onto the attack, Pedro Gonçalves forcing Brigído into a stunning reflex save after more brilliant work by Gyökeres.
But the Lions soon restored their two-goal lead. Leonel Bucca handled the ball on the line to prevent Trincão’s header from going in and Sporting were awarded a penalty. Bucca was initially sent off but his punishment reduced to a yellow card upon a VAR review. As Gyökeres stepped up to take the penalty, you felt it was impossible for him to miss… and he duly rifled the ball into the net with aplomb.
There was still time for Bucca to have another presentable chance, Israel again producing a sharp save. Half time Sporting 3-1 Estrela.
Nani ovation
Soon after the interval Estrela veteran Nani, one of the most popular players to play for Sporting this century, entered the fray, the former Portugal international getting an ovation from all four corners of the ground, which he acknowledged by clapping his hands above his head in appreciation.
Throughout the night Estrela created more problems for Sporting than any other team had done this season in the Primeira Liga, and Pinho had the ball in the on the hour mark, only for the goal to be chalked off by VAR as the striker was adjudged to have used his hand to control the ball.
The moment of the night came in the 70th minute as Viktor Gyökeres scored his fourth of the night to cap a superb team move, Trincão providing the assist.
With Estrela at last running out of steam, and Amorim making several substitutions no doubt thinking about Tuesday’s encounter against Manchester City, the game somewhat petered out.
Araújo joy
However, there was still time for a significant goal, Maxi Araújo finding the net for the first time since joining Sporting with a firm cross-shot after being found by Daniel Bragança’s fine cross-field pass. The way the whole team congregated to effusively congratulate the Uruguayan suggests he has quickly become a popular member of the squad and the goal will surely boost the confidence of a player who has not lived up to expectations as of yet.
Sporting’s remarkable season continues, tonight’s victory the 14th in 15 unbeaten games in all competitions following the Super Cup defeat.
How will Amorim’s departure impact Sporting?
But with Manchester City in the Champions League and Braga away coming up next, and above all with the club preparing for life after Amorim thereafter, the next few weeks will likely give us clear indications as to whether or not Sporting can enjoy a historically successful season or not.
Sporting: Franco Israel, Zeno Debast (Matheus Reis, 73’), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio (Jeremiah St. Juste, 46’), Geovany Quenda, Morten Hjulmand (Morten Hjulmand, 68’), Daniel Bragança, Maxi Araújo, Pedro Gonçalves (Marcus Edwards, 73’), Viktor Gyokeres, Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 80’)
Estrela da Amadora: Bruno Brígido, Danilo Veiga, Ferro, Issiar Dramé (Nani, 52’), Rúben Lima, Leonel Bucca (André Luiz, 46’), Paulo Moreira, Léo Cordeiro (Alan Ruiz, 75’), Nilton Varela, Rodrigo Pinho (Kikas, 67’), Jovane Cabral
Goals:
[1-0] Viktor Gyökeres, 19’
[2-0] Viktor Gyökeres, 31’
[2-1] Rodrigo Pinho, 35’
[3-1] Viktor Gyökeres (pen), 42’
[4-1] Viktor Gyökeres, 70’
[5-1] Maxi Araújo, 85’