Sporting CP v Atalanta is a match from the second day of the Europa League group stage and is played on Thursday at 18:45: tv, predictions.
All as expected so far in Group D. Both Sporting and Atalanta, the two teams that in theory should be contending for first place, debuted with a victory.
The Orobici, who returned to play in Europe after a year without cups, had no problem in taming the Polish Rakow (2-0): the decisive goals, in the second half, of the ex-Milanist De Ketelaere – the Belgian in Bergamo seems to have found his dimension again – and of the Brazilian Ederson gave the first three points to Gian Piero Gasperini. Instead, the challenge between the Austrian Sturm Graz and the Portuguese, who went into a disadvantage at the beginning of the second half, was more fought than expected. Ruben Amorim’s team, who were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Juventus in last year’s edition, then managed to put things right in the last quarter of an hour, putting Sturm back in front first through striker Gyokeres and then defender Diomande (1-2). The green-and-whites are doing much better in their own league, the Liga Portugal, where they are first in the standings at +1 over Benfica and +2 over Porto, their great rivals for the title. At home, Sporting are the only team still undefeated: six victories in seven matches, a record ‘dirtied’ only by the draw at home to Braga.
First place is at stake
Atalanta, on the other hand, are coming off a white-net draw with Juventus, which rightly left Gasperini and his boys with some regret.
Paulinho
At the points, in fact, Dea would have deserved something more: the Bianconeri, too reluctant, risked on several occasions to concede goals. Atalanta, however, recorded their fourth consecutive clean sheet: they have not conceded a goal since the match against Fiorentina last 17th September. Gasperini will not make any revolutions in Lisbon: compared to the match against Juve, the only changes could concern the right-back line, with Scalvini taking Toloi’s place in the defensive trio and former La Spezia man Holm making Zappacosta’s place. In the middle, Ederson is favoured over Pasalic, while the re-established Scamacca will challenge De Ketelaere in attack. The best possible eleven for Amorim, who only has to do without the injured Trincao.
The Prediction
A good test of maturity for Atalanta, against a team of the level of Sporting, which has been a regular presence on the continental stages for a few years now. The Dea’s solidity and fast transitions could undermine the Portuguese’s dribbling, which is why we believe the Nerazzurri should be able to score at least one goal.
Sporting CP v Atalanta (Sporting CP v Atalanta) matchday squad
- SPORTING CP (3-4-2-1): Adan; Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Morita, Santos; Paulinho, Gonçalves; Gyokeres.
- ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Musso; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Holm, de Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, Lookman; De Ketelaere.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
