Fabio Silva, happy after giving victory to Sporting: “My joy was worth a card”

Already seven goals. Of the eighteen registered by Sporting this season. Fabio Silva (20) is essential to the team. He is the technical leader and his joy after his penalty reflected the important role he plays. “I knew I was going to take yellow by taking off my jersey (Editor’s note: and even its data sensor) but it was worth it. With emotion, you can do that kind of stuff.”

All was not rosy for the Portuguese center-forward. He accumulated frustration before his goal, especially in the first period with many empty runs. “It’s sometimes annoying not to have good balls but you always have to keep fighting. I don’t like spending all my game pressing, I prefer to stay close to the ball, but that’s also my job as a help the team. Scoring the penalty made me feel good. I had no doubts. When I take the ball, I’m always convinced that I’m going to score.”

A penalty caused by a dribble from Julien Duranville (16), again decisive during his rise, even if it was less flamboyant than Sunday against Louvain. “He’s unpredictable and it’s hard to defend against himapplauded his captain Hendrik Van Crombrugge. It’s a luxury to have quality like that on the bench, especially when the game is closed.”

Two other kids also scored points on Thursday: Yari Verschaeren (21) and Zeno Debast (18). “I was only able to train twice this week after my flu and I wasn’t 100%”specifies Verschaeren, yet decisive during his rise to the game at the break. “He still managed to bring play between the lines, like Arnstad. It made the Danes suffer when they were tired”congratulated Van Crombrugge.

As for Debast, he was still imperial behind and regularly bringing danger offensively after the break. His name was outright chanted by the kop after the meeting. “He is a gifted boy but also attentiveexplains Van Crombrugge. He is humble and he wants to learn. He is progressing in his defensive game, while keeping his ball skills. He still needs to gain some muscle mass but it will come.”

In the preselection of Roberto Martinez, like Francis Amuzu, Debast saw an extraordinary start to the season, remaining impervious to the irregularity of the team. Thursday’s European clean sheet is also a reward for him.