Sporting Lisbon: Champions League win over Galatasaray, then a draw with Famalicão

A win in Europe

On September 9 in Lisbon, Sporting hosted Turkish champions Galatasaray on matchday one of the new Champions League season and won 3-1. The visitors took an early lead in the 5th minute after an unlucky sequence — Lucas Torreira's deflected shot was touched by goalkeeper Rui Silva but still crossed the line, and the goal was recorded as an own goal by Gonçalo Inácio. Sporting equalised in the 27th minute when Geny Catamo scored from around ten metres. Shortly before half-time, German international Leroy Sané had a chance to put his side ahead, but his effort hit the post.

The second half turned in Sporting's favour. In the 57th minute, after a lengthy VAR review, the referee awarded Sporting a penalty for a foul by Ismail Jakobs on Luis Suárez, who converted it himself to make it 2-1. Six minutes later, Rodrigo Zalazar curled home a direct free kick to make it 3-1, which turned out to be the final score. According to BILD, Sané was substituted for Rafael Leão shortly after his missed chance, but the outlet 90PLUS reports that Leão's name does not appear in the match reports at all, and it is unclear whether he was even among the substitutes that night. Statistically, Galatasaray dominated — 59% possession and more completed passes — but by expected goals (xG), Sporting had the edge, 1.55 to 1.02, according to 90PLUS.

A draw against Famalicão

On September 13, in matchday six of the Portuguese league, Sporting travelled to face Famalicão. Coach Rui Borges made several changes to the lineup compared with the Galatasaray match — Zalazar was dropped from the starting eleven, while Flávio Gonçalves returned to it, according to A Bola.

The match remained goalless for a long stretch until the 78th minute, when the referee awarded Sporting a penalty for a foul by Pedro Bondo on Ioannidis. Suárez converted the penalty in the 81st minute to put Sporting ahead. In the 88th minute, Famalicão were reduced to ten men after Roméo Beney received a red card for a rough challenge on Maxi Araújo. However, in stoppage time, in the 91st minute, Famalicão equalised anyway — following a cross from the right, Gonçalo Inácio, attempting to intercept the ball, put it into his own net. The match ended 1-1.

As Observador notes, the draw means Sporting fall further behind FC Porto and Benfica, who are set to meet each other in the upcoming Clássico at the Dragão. Galatasaray, according to 90PLUS, face a derby in Trabzon on September 19, while Sporting will later host Germany's VfB Stuttgart in the Champions League.