In five official matches so far this season, Sporting has only managed one victory, four draws and one defeat. That single victory came at home against AC Horsens for the Europa League Play-off Round.
Caught up in financial turmoil speculations, Sporting has slowly, but in some ways quickly started to fall out of the spotlight. Somewhere down the long dark tunnel that the club has managed to find its way into is a that light that will lead them back to the top, but who knows when they will find themselves again.
A club that for so long enjoyed success has now become what many would consider the laughing stock of the top Portuguese teams. With 44 domestic titles to their name, Sporting has now dug themselves into a hole that will be very difficult to get themselves out of.
Without a Portuguese League title since the 2001-02 season when Joao Pinto, Mario Jardel, Ricardo Quaresma and even Sa Pinto himself were representing the Leoes, Sporting has struggled to find consistency domestically while on the European stage they almost always seem to overachieve.
In 12th place, already five points back of their rivals, the Lisbon side managed yet another draw, this time it was mid-week against Basel for the Europa League Group Stage. At the end of the match, mixed emotions echoed through the stadium as a mix of cheers and not so pleasant whistles showed the discontent of the fans.
Up next for Sa Pinto and his beloved Sporting will be a Gil Vicente side that not only is a tough outfit to go up against, but they also defeated the Leoes 2-0 late in the campaign last year. Although Sporting lost away, they also enjoyed a 6-1 victory over the Gilistas earlier in the season at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
One goal for and two goals against is very much all Sporting has been able to offer in the new campaign. Taking on Gil Vicente at home will provide the Leoninos with an opportunity to get their first win, but they will also be under immense pressure.
Gil Vicente will be aware of Sporting’s weaknesses as is everyone else in the league, and if Sporting gives Gil any sort of lifeline in the match, Paulo Alves’ men will be sure to take it.
Sa Pinto may well be playing for his job on Monday considering the fans will not be happy with anything other than a victory. Whether its a good or bad performance, that probably won’t matter at this point as long as the end result is a win.
Sporting could be in for a long and frustrating 90 minutes, considering they haven’t done much scoring in the domestic league and Gil Vicente has yet to score or concede thus far.
A club that for so long enjoyed success has now become what many would consider the laughing stock of the top Portuguese teams. With 44 domestic titles to their name, Sporting has now dug themselves into a hole that will be very difficult to get themselves out of.
Without a Portuguese League title since the 2001-02 season when Joao Pinto, Mario Jardel, Ricardo Quaresma and even Sa Pinto himself were representing the Leoes, Sporting has struggled to find consistency domestically while on the European stage they almost always seem to overachieve.
In 12th place, already five points back of their rivals, the Lisbon side managed yet another draw, this time it was mid-week against Basel for the Europa League Group Stage. At the end of the match, mixed emotions echoed through the stadium as a mix of cheers and not so pleasant whistles showed the discontent of the fans.
Up next for Sa Pinto and his beloved Sporting will be a Gil Vicente side that not only is a tough outfit to go up against, but they also defeated the Leoes 2-0 late in the campaign last year. Although Sporting lost away, they also enjoyed a 6-1 victory over the Gilistas earlier in the season at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
One goal for and two goals against is very much all Sporting has been able to offer in the new campaign. Taking on Gil Vicente at home will provide the Leoninos with an opportunity to get their first win, but they will also be under immense pressure.
Gil Vicente will be aware of Sporting’s weaknesses as is everyone else in the league, and if Sporting gives Gil any sort of lifeline in the match, Paulo Alves’ men will be sure to take it.
Sa Pinto may well be playing for his job on Monday considering the fans will not be happy with anything other than a victory. Whether its a good or bad performance, that probably won’t matter at this point as long as the end result is a win.
Sporting could be in for a long and frustrating 90 minutes, considering they haven’t done much scoring in the domestic league and Gil Vicente has yet to score or concede thus far.
