Schalke 04: El Hombre de Oro

BARBOSA OUT OF BIG MONTH

Sporting Lisbon’s on loan star Gabriel Barbosa will miss their crucial league clashes versus Benfica and FC Porto with a twisted ankle.

Barbosa sustained the injury in Sporting’s 3-0 away win versus Arouca and the latest medical update confirms the Brazilian forward will be out for at least five weeks.

Sporting boss Maradona has described the injury as a huge hurdle for ‘Os Leões’ to overcome but remains confident of mounting a title challenge.

”I still don’t know what my strongest team is yet but the injury of Barbosa has certainly been a blow to our title hopes.

“Nevertheless, it’s a loss we’ll have to deal with and I’m sure whoever gets selected will be 100% up for proving they too are worth their salt.

“Of course, it is a pain to lose Barbosa so close to two derby clashes but I’m sure Fredy Montero and Islam Slimani have enough about them to hurt both Benfica and Porto.”

Sporting currently sit third in the Liga Zon Sagres after two wins on the bounce, trailing Benfica by three points and Porto by one.

February 2015

Semi-Finals



Romeu (84) – Andre Martins (78) Carlos Mane (82)





Juninho O.G. (34) Jefferson (65), Carlos Mane (71)



Semi-Finals



Tomane (89) - Jefferson (8), Iancu (pen 87)





Slimani (5), Mauricio (13)





Carrillo (9, 41, 51), Adrien (37), Iancu (54, 87), Montero (89)

Liga Zon Sagres Table

Sporting’s Player of the Month

Carlos Mane

Carlos Mane has been brilliant this month in the absence of Carrillo in the first few games, scoring two great goals. I’d liken him to Raheem Sterling with his playing style. He’s very pacey and objective with a flurry of brilliance that makes him one of Sporting’s hottest prospects.

Maradona’s Verdict

We have put ourselves right into the title fight now, just one point behind Porto. In our clash, we proved that we could match Porto pound for pound in this title race, meanwhile destroying Benfica with our devastating counter attacks. It’s amazing what new blood can do to a team like this!

March 2015

Carrillo (25, 86), Montero (34, 55)



Iancu O.G. (84)



Carrillo (77)



Semi-Finals 1st Leg



Barbosa (21) - Nicacio (5), Miguel (8), Hurtado (26)

Liga Zon Sagres Table

Sporting’s Player of the Month

Andre Carrillo

We’ve missed Carrillo’s trickery out wide at times and he really showed why many fans have so mich faith in his talent. He can be a frustrating player, shooting and dribbling when he shouldn’t, but this month he has been very good and it’s no wonder some Barclays Premier League and La Liga clubs are looking at him.

Maradona’s Verdict

Starting with the negatives, I was bitterly disappointed to lose to Pacos de Ferreira in the cup. Perhaps, I was at fault for the loss as I set my team to attack from the off, and before I knew it, we were 2-0 down. They picked their moments to attack brilliantly and we’ll have to be at the peak of our powers to turn around the 3-1 deficit left behind us. Secondly, again I was upset to lose away to Maritimo, however, I acknowledge the journey to Madeira is never an easy one. We attacked and created as much as we could but there was no way past their defence. Iancu was then unfortunate to score in his own net and land the final blow to what was a frustrating affair. Nevertheless, both Porto and Benfica wobbled, which means that we are still top of the league with five games to go.

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April 2015

Nicacio (15), Mauricio O.G. (27) Pimenta (47) - Iancu (9), Mauricio (69)





Semi-Finals 2nd Leg



Pimenta (81) – Lopes O.G. (13)





Carrillo (8, 61), William Carvalho (7) – Mousinho (33)



Final



Mauricio (50), Gabriel Barbosa (90+1)

Liga Zon Sagres Table

Sporting’s Player of the Month

Mauricio

Mauricio endured a big psychological test when he scored an own goal versus Pacos de Ferreira, a result that could have deflated our season. Like many, Mauricio showed great character to bounce back when it really mattered; scoring in the Taca da Liga final and helping us remain top with two games to go. It’s thanks to players like Mauricio that we could be about to end our long wait for a title.

Maradona’s Verdict

It seems Pacos de Ferreira have become our bogey team, with me failing to beat them three times in around a month. Much like the Mauricio situation, I’m happy we bounced back and we now sit top of the league. Furthermore, a brilliant result versus Benfica means that we are cup champions! Now, all we have to do is win our final two games and we are league champions. A win versus both Braga and Estoril will be imperative.

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CAPTAIN RALLIES TROOPS

Sporting Lisbon captain Rui Patricio has urged his teammates to continue playing with passion as they edge closer to the league title.

Ranked outsiders before Diego Maradona’s arrival as manager, Sporting has galloped from 5th place to top of the pile with two games of the Liga Zon Sagres season left.

With Sporting facing Sporting de Braga and Estoril in their final games of the season, Patricio wants to see more of the same from his teammates in hope of wins in both clashes.

”We are in such a good position right now in the league, we really have to dig deeper to ensure we win it.

“It’s been a long time coming for us to win the title, but there is a great belief in the camp that we can do it, so if we play as we have done for the best part of the season, I’m confident the wait for the title will be over.

“We must defeat both Braga and Estoril if we wish to win, however. Again, I can’t stress how important it is that we play with passion and give it our all and I’m sure that as a collective, we will deliver for our fans that most deserve a moment like this.”

Sporting currently top the Liga Zon Sagres by two points more than the sum of Benfica’s and FC Porto’s 61 points.

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