Dissecting Sporting CP’s playstyle ahead of their UCL game between Arsenal

Analysing the Portuguese giants playstyle and some of their most influential players that will face Arsenal in the UCL

Sporting CP hosting Arsenal at Estádio Jose Alvalade in Portugal is going to be crunching fixture for this week’s round of the UCL. A strong start to the UCL campaign sees the hosts unbeaten at 2nd spot however, Sporting have a changed back room staff for this fixture

The most spoken of team had the most spoken of manager, Ruben Amorim who recently changed roles and took up a new position as a manager at Manchester United earlier this month. Nevertheless, we’ll try dissecting Sporting’s overall playstyle

We don’t know much about João Pereira’s playstyle yet, so let’s just debunk some of Amorim’s key concepts/ideas that has made Sporting CP one of the best clubs in Europe this season, whilst having a clear identity in his football

Amorim has always implemented a 3-4-2-1 system which functions with 3 ball playing CBs + wide wingbacks + balanced midfield + a double #10 combination who function in central spaces and feed the CF into his likings. Control in build up + staying press resistant makes their game

In build up when Sporting CP hold possession, they like staying patient and inviting press to open spaces in midfield – wingbacks holding the touchline more like wingers > look to bait press for passing lanes centrally and continue runs forwards. The #10s are the creative lookouts

Usually receiving in the central spaces, they like staying dropping deep to connect play or even close to the box to pounce on cutbacks/crosses. They compliment their attacking football to the famous channel running into spaces of their CF, Viktor Gyökeres

OOP defensively they usually stick to a mid block with a 5-3-2 system – high defensive line with gaps in central spaces that could be exploited if noticed. However, they stay very compact and cover the width of the pitch well. Overloads help them recover and start counter attacks

It’s important to know that Sporting CP are very effective when it comes to creating and finishing – even if the chances aren’t plenty. The recent 4-1 victory vs Manchester City was a clear example (image). Key wins have kept them in pole position

Key players:

Viktor Gyökeres – Sweden
26 | CF | 6’2

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The inform Swedish striker has bagged goals for fun this season, breaking records like it’s a joke. Gyökeres’ ball striking, smooth channel running and superb finishing help him become the gunman for the Portuguese side. The one person to keep your eyes on

Geovany Quenda – Portugal
17 | RW/RWB | 5’8

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The 17 y/o is a winger converted to a wingback by Amorim was his X factor from the wings – prefers taking on players with his smart dribbling ability mixed with his rapid burst of pace. Tidy with his defensive duties + tracking back and has an eye for a line breaking pass

Morten Hjulmand – Denmark
25 | CM | 6’1

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The Danish slots into midfielder being Sporting’s composer in attack and defence. Tactically very mature with his positioning, natural ball winner and composed + safe with the ball at his feet. Can the captain make a difference?

Ousmane Diomande – Ivory Coast
20 | CB | 6’3

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Reliability in Sporting’s heart of defence comes with Diomande’s playing style. His physicality + technical abilities seperate him from the best at his age – elite ball playing assets + sets the tempo + breaks legs with his tackling

Key Battles:

Gyökeres vs Saliba/Gabriel: Arsenal’s reliable duo would have to face one of Europe’s most lethal CFs. The UCL top goal scorer might not have the space to run into with the CB’s closing gaps through the middle but his physicality can make things really difficult for the pair

Trincao vs Calafiori: Trincao is a very quick and tricky winger to come up against, especially with the form he is in this season. Calafiori might have inverting duties but would need strike a balance and be vary of the spaces that can be exploited on the LHS

Saka vs Araujo: Arsenal’s starboy likes stretching opposing backlines and isolate wingbacks in 1v1 situations. Araujo coming up against Saka would need to hold his ground and provide the defensive security whilst also wishing for his teammates to double up

Conclusion:

Sporting’s compact shape and precision with counter could frustrate Arsenal’s rhythm where Arteta emphasises on possession based football – high press + dominating through the RHS. Winning the individual battles in the game will be key to proceedings