This Wednesday, Sporting qualified for the round of 16 of the Youth League, after beating Puskás Akadémia 2-1 at the Pancho Arena, a venue that ranks among the 30 most beautiful stadiums in the world.
And it was beautiful to see the determination of the young lions, whose maestro was the grown-up Flávio Gonçalves. The 18-year-old winger was the big news in João Gião’s squad, after the young man was promoted to the main team, even after the signings of Luís Guilherme and Faye, working daily under the orders of Rui Borges, who ‘lent’ him for this important Youth League game.
And, let’s say, the bet was won. The number 10 shirt (which suits him well) was like a beacon for the team to find its way to the Magyars’ goal. In the 27th minute he got a yellow card for Ásványi, launching a quick counterattack, only stopped with a free kick, at a time in the game when Sporting were trying to establish themselves in the opponent’s midfield.
He also took up the task of marking set pieces: in the 33rd minute, in a corner, he placed the ball in the heart of the area, but no one appeared; In the 42nd minute, he took a free kick, this time with Sandro Ferreira heading it, but the goalkeeper grabbed the ball. These were the most dangerous plays near Puskás’ goal, which, let’s say, didn’t bother Miguel Gouveia in the first half.
The first 45 minutes were really guided by the balance, without either team creating a blatant scoring opportunity. Sporting even started the game better, but the Hungarians, thanks to their excellent defensive organization, managed to shake off the initial pressure. And as it was a knockout game, none of the teams wanted to take undue risks.
In the resumption, after the first attack belonged to the young people of the house, with Magyarics, making all the right progress, but failing to control the ball, losing it along the final line, the first goal of the game arrived. From the feet of Flávio Gonçalves, of course.
By taking a free kick side, with a tense kick to the heart of the area, Gabriel Silva still jumped, but did not touch the ball, which went directly into the Magyar club’s goal.
The lions then gained confidence, a series of moves followed in the opponent’s midfield, but a bucket of cold water fell on them, icy, in this case, which felt like -2 degrees, when at 67′, following a masterful pass from Krupa, just released in the game, Budai, one-on-one with Miguel Silva, Don’t waste the opportunity to equalize.
João Gião shook up the game with entries from Manuel Kissanga and Duarte Tomás, who pushed the lions close to the opponent’s area, in the 78th minute, after another great pass from Flávio Gonçalves, tearing through the area, Daniel Costa shot for an excellent save by Mirló Bozó.
And at a time when everyone was preparing for the tiebreaker through penalties, and with Puskás already reduced to ten units, due to the expulsion of Csiszár, after taking down Flávio Gonçalves (90+1′), the strength and desire of the lions came to the fore, drawn in a collective attack play, with Flávio Gonçalves making a beautiful reception of the ball, with a masterful pass for Miguel Almeida to score the winning goal, already in stoppage time (90+4′).
Sporting is therefore present in the round of 16 of the Youth League, maintaining an unbeaten record – four wins and three draws, with 15 goals scored.
The draw for the round of 16 is scheduled for midday next Friday, in Nyon, Switzerland, with the games taking place on the 24th and 25th of this month.
