Sporting will attempt to book their place in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday evening as they welcome Legia Warsaw to the Alvalade Stadium.
The Lisbon club appear well placed after a 2-2 draw in the Polish capital last week. However Sporting have won just three of twelve games in 2012.
The recent swap in coach, with Sá Pinto replacing Domingos Paciência, has led to better results (a draw and a win) but no improvement in the level of performance. Pinto has called on the club’s fans to help them overcome this difficult moment.
“If there is a constant atmosphere of mistrust and boos, the team will feel this on the pitch. That’s why I ask the fans to believe in the team and support it. We believe we are going to have a great end to the season. Everyone has to be involved,” said Pinto.
The Lions have been hit with a double injury blow. American centre-back Oguchi Onyewu and Argentine midfielder Fito Rinaudo are both ruled out after picking up injuries in Sunday’s home win over Paços de Ferreira.
“They are important players of high quality, and we’re disappointed they will not be able to give their contribution to the team,” added Pinto.
Portuguese duo Daniel Carriço and André Santos could well deputise for the injured pair. Both players scored in the first leg and appear to have been earmarked for a more prominent role under the new coach.
“It’s an important match and if we are at the same level as we were in our last two games in terms of attitude, personality, desire and togetherness, I have no doubts we will qualify for the next round,” concluded Pinto.
The winner of the tie will play the winner of the Manchester City v FC Porto match-up.
Kick-off at 8.05 pm at the Alvalade Stadium on Thursday.
The recent swap in coach, with Sá Pinto replacing Domingos Paciência, has led to better results (a draw and a win) but no improvement in the level of performance. Pinto has called on the club’s fans to help them overcome this difficult moment.
“If there is a constant atmosphere of mistrust and boos, the team will feel this on the pitch. That’s why I ask the fans to believe in the team and support it. We believe we are going to have a great end to the season. Everyone has to be involved,” said Pinto.
The Lions have been hit with a double injury blow. American centre-back Oguchi Onyewu and Argentine midfielder Fito Rinaudo are both ruled out after picking up injuries in Sunday’s home win over Paços de Ferreira.
“They are important players of high quality, and we’re disappointed they will not be able to give their contribution to the team,” added Pinto.
Portuguese duo Daniel Carriço and André Santos could well deputise for the injured pair. Both players scored in the first leg and appear to have been earmarked for a more prominent role under the new coach.
“It’s an important match and if we are at the same level as we were in our last two games in terms of attitude, personality, desire and togetherness, I have no doubts we will qualify for the next round,” concluded Pinto.
The winner of the tie will play the winner of the Manchester City v FC Porto match-up.
Kick-off at 8.05 pm at the Alvalade Stadium on Thursday.
