Another lap on Alvalade's 'carousel' and another victory. Sporting continues without losing in home games this season and, this Sunday, triumphed in the reception to Vitória SC, in a game of the 30th round of the I League. Pedro Gonçalves and Gyokeres, who scored twice in his return to goals, built this which was Sporting's 15th victory for the championship, in as many games already played this season.

Game film

In relation to the last meeting against Famalicão, Rúben Amorim promoted a forced change. Punished, Ousmane Diomande was left out of the game sheet and St. Juste came in for his place. Álvaro Pacheco surprised by leaving Jota Silva and Nélson Oliviera on the substitutes' bench.

Far from being an overwhelming game for Sporting, also by merit for the way how Vitória SC presented itself on the field, it was soon realized that, sooner or later, the Lisbon team would end up defeating Bruno Varela, who was back to the starting line-up in the goal of the minhotos. Even for the offensive volume that had been created since the first minute. Highlight, at 21 minutes, for a very strong shot by Geny Catamo that was blocked on the goal line by Borevkovic. Shortly after, Morten Hjulmand headed from behind, with the ball still hitting the iron.

But, on the other side, there was a very compact team. Despite the good organization shown by the Vitorians since the start of the match at the Alvalade Stadium, the truth is that Álvaro Pacheco's men were unable to control the leonine 'carousel', to the point of having scored the first goal of the match on the half-hour mark.

At 30 minutes, Francisco Trincão tried to serve Geny Catamo and, after several rebounds, the ball went to Pedro Gonçalves who scored his 11th goal of the season in the I League. Despite the goal conceded, Vitória SC did not give up and managed several approaches to Franco Israel's goal in the final stretch of the first half. But it was the green and white team that, at the last gasp, made it 2-0.

After five games without scoring, Gyokeres returned to goals, in a play reminiscent of Barcelona's tiki-taka. Daniel Bragança and Pedro Gonçalves combined at the entrance to the area and the Portuguese international served the forward for the goal just before the break (45+4'). And if there was a goal to close, there was another to open the second half.

There were certainly still some fans returning to their seats after the break when, at 49 minutes, Sporting scored the third of the night. After a long pass from Pedro Gonçalves to the opposite area, Francisco Trincão made a beautiful reception and served for Gyokeres' double in the match.

With the match more than controlled, Sporting threatened the rout several times, but Vitória SC managed to contain the leonine 'steamroller' with the entries of Nuno Santos and Jota Silva. The Vimaranenses started to bet on a more supported attack, while the lions responded with a more direct football, with long kicks for Gyokeres and Trincão.

And it was through a pass from the Swede that the men from Alvalade reached the fourth goal, even though it was canceled. After an assist from the lions' number 9, Marcus Edwards put the ball in the back of Bruno Varela's net. However, Gyokeres was not as fast as the opposing defense and ended up being caught offside after receiving a pass from Paulinho.

[News in update]

Starting teams

Sporting: Franco Israel, St. Juste, Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança, Morten Hjulmand, Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão, Viktor Gyökeres, Pedro Gonçalves.

Substitutes: Diogo Pinto, Neto, Fresneda, Rafael Pontelo, Eduardo Quaresma, Koba Koindredi, Morita, Edwards and Paulinho

Vitória SC: Bruno Varela, Manu Silva, Toni Borevkovic, Tomás Ribeiro, Miguel Maga, Tomás Händel, Tiago Silva, André André, Afonso Freitas, Kaio César and Butzke.

Substitutes: Charles, Mikel, Zé Carlos, Tounkara, Alberto, Nuno Santos, Jota Silva, Lumungo and Nélson Oliveira.

Preview

The Alvalade Stadium opens its doors, this Sunday, for another 'assault' towards the title. Sporting receives Vitória SC this Sunday, one of the first of the two great obstacles in a row that the lions have towards the final goal.

The team led by Rúben Amorim has a comfortable advantage of seven points over Benfica, current champion and current second place, which closes the round on Monday, at the Farense stadium, while FC Porto, third, is already mathematically removed from the title.

But an easy match is not expected for the lions. The fact is that the Vimaranenses, despite not being in the race for the title, have a say in the European competitions. The minhotos occupy the fifth place, two points away from FC Porto and Sporting de Braga, fourth place, tied with the dragons, in a three-way race for access to the Europa League.

It is worth remembering that Vitória SC, which won five of the last six games in the competition, won the only confrontation with Sporting in the 2023/24 season, in the first round, by 3-2. This will certainly be a 'tough nut to crack' for Sporting, which also presents credentials in the games played at the Alvalade Stadium. The team coached by Rúben Amorim is the only 100% victorious in its stadium and can obtain the eighth consecutive triumph, equaling the best series of the I League, which already belongs to it.

Therefore, the necessary ingredients for a scorching encounter are gathered on this Sunday night in Lisbon. The duel between Sporting and Vitória SC has a scheduled starting whistle for 8:30 pm, will be refereed by Cláudio Pereira and you can follow it live on the page of Desporto ao Minuto.

Leia Também: Sporting-Vitória SC: Leão tenta vingar derrota contra grande obstáculo (Portuguese version)