Sporting CP will face Athletic Club in the first leg of semifinal in Europa League at Estadio Jose Alvalade this Thursday. The Portugal side is the only non-Spanish club in the semi-finals and they could be considered as outsiders in this semifinal by the three other Spanish sides. Sa Pinto's side has enjoyed their run in the Europa League, knocking out a side like Manchester City in the progression.
On the other side, Athletic Bilbao is playing excellent football in Europa League. They have showcased themselves a better and well-organized side against their opponents like Manchester United and Schalke 04, which made them favorites to win the Europa League.
However, both sides were not that impressive in their domestic leagues. Sporting CP is at fourth position in Portugal league while M. Bielsa's side is at seventh place in La Liga. The most vital factor for Sporting in this game will be their excellent form at home which could give them high confidence in gaining the essential first-leg lead. Sporting has been revitalized since sacking Domingos Paciencia and replacing him with Ricardo Sa Pinto in February. The new manager has led the side to 6 wins in 8 league games.
Anderson Polga, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Marat Izmailov, Andre Carrillo and Fabian Rinaudo are all one yellow card away from a European suspension, though no Sporting players are out of this game for disciplinary reasons. Elias is still ineligible in the Europa League and could be replaced in midfield by Daniel Carrico or Andre Martins.
A huge blow for Athletic Bilbao is the absence through suspension of key man Javi Martinez. He will be back for the second leg, and Marcelo Bielsa will be keen that none of Muniain, Herrera, de Marcos or San Jose picks up a yellow card which would keep them out of the return leg.
On the other side, the visitors have huge concern ahead of the match regarding the fitness of Fernando Llorente. Bielsa is well-aware of the fact that his fitness is so crucial for Athletic's potential success and with six goals already in the competition he has proven his significance to the side.
Tags -Football Alert | Soccer Text Alerts | Football News | Best Ipad Applications
On the other side, Athletic Bilbao is playing excellent football in Europa League. They have showcased themselves a better and well-organized side against their opponents like Manchester United and Schalke 04, which made them favorites to win the Europa League.
However, both sides were not that impressive in their domestic leagues. Sporting CP is at fourth position in Portugal league while M. Bielsa's side is at seventh place in La Liga. The most vital factor for Sporting in this game will be their excellent form at home which could give them high confidence in gaining the essential first-leg lead. Sporting has been revitalized since sacking Domingos Paciencia and replacing him with Ricardo Sa Pinto in February. The new manager has led the side to 6 wins in 8 league games.
Anderson Polga, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Marat Izmailov, Andre Carrillo and Fabian Rinaudo are all one yellow card away from a European suspension, though no Sporting players are out of this game for disciplinary reasons. Elias is still ineligible in the Europa League and could be replaced in midfield by Daniel Carrico or Andre Martins.
A huge blow for Athletic Bilbao is the absence through suspension of key man Javi Martinez. He will be back for the second leg, and Marcelo Bielsa will be keen that none of Muniain, Herrera, de Marcos or San Jose picks up a yellow card which would keep them out of the return leg.
On the other side, the visitors have huge concern ahead of the match regarding the fitness of Fernando Llorente. Bielsa is well-aware of the fact that his fitness is so crucial for Athletic's potential success and with six goals already in the competition he has proven his significance to the side.
Tags -Football Alert | Soccer Text Alerts | Football News | Best Ipad Applications
No comments:
Post a Comment