Sporting take on Swiss outfit FC Zurich in Lisbon looking to secure top spot in Europa League Group D.
The Lions lost the big Lisbon derby against Benfica on Saturday, but the creditable performance in a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Estádio da Luz will have done little to dampen the confidence of the Lions.
Indeed, anything other than a home victory will be a surprise given that Zurich are bottom of the group without a win to their name.
“Our aim is to obtain victory to clinch first place in the group. After we won our first three games this became our objective. We wasted a chance to guarantee top spot against Vaslui, and we don’t want to waste this chance against Zurich,” said Sporting and Portugal right-back João Pereira.
Not that Pereira is expecting an easy ride. “We know it will be a difficult game, like the game in Zurich was. Although we won there they had several chances to score and hit the woodwork twice,” added Pereira.
The hosts also have a slew of injuries hampering their preparation for the game. Marat Izmailov, Jeffren, Rinaudo, Matias Fernandez and Andre Carrillo are all unavailable for coach Domingos Paciência.
FC Zurich coach Urs Fischer has urged his team to repeat their strong showing in their last European match, when Lazio edged to a one-nil victory. “We have to show courage, like we did in Rome. If we repeat that performance I think we have a chance of winning,” said the manager of the Swiss outfit.
“We have ninety minutes to get a good result. I watched the Lisbon derby and we’ll have to pay a lot of attention to Sporting from the first minute,” added Fischer.
Kick-off at 8.05 pm local time at the Estádio de Alvalade.
Indeed, anything other than a home victory will be a surprise given that Zurich are bottom of the group without a win to their name.
“Our aim is to obtain victory to clinch first place in the group. After we won our first three games this became our objective. We wasted a chance to guarantee top spot against Vaslui, and we don’t want to waste this chance against Zurich,” said Sporting and Portugal right-back João Pereira.
Not that Pereira is expecting an easy ride. “We know it will be a difficult game, like the game in Zurich was. Although we won there they had several chances to score and hit the woodwork twice,” added Pereira.
The hosts also have a slew of injuries hampering their preparation for the game. Marat Izmailov, Jeffren, Rinaudo, Matias Fernandez and Andre Carrillo are all unavailable for coach Domingos Paciência.
FC Zurich coach Urs Fischer has urged his team to repeat their strong showing in their last European match, when Lazio edged to a one-nil victory. “We have to show courage, like we did in Rome. If we repeat that performance I think we have a chance of winning,” said the manager of the Swiss outfit.
“We have ninety minutes to get a good result. I watched the Lisbon derby and we’ll have to pay a lot of attention to Sporting from the first minute,” added Fischer.
Kick-off at 8.05 pm local time at the Estádio de Alvalade.
