This Saturday, Sporting won the Cinco Violinos trophy, beating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in a match that served as a dress rehearsal for the Super Cup against Porto on August 3, presenting the team to the squad members and paying tribute to captain Coates.
In a lively game in which the players were still in shock, it was Sporting who took the lead thanks to a goal from Pedro Gonçalves after an assist from Dioceres. The highlight of the early game was the return of the ball from Trincao and the pass to Kenda, who asked for the Swede. And it was the first action of Kenda, the young 17-year-old right-back, who had shone in the first half with a shot on the post (in the same move Inácio had hit the post) and a defender who intercepted the goal from him at the top of the line. The advantage brought calm to the Lions, who had already shown good combinations and several well-thought-out plays. Pedro Gonçalves turned from the flank several times, helping to create an imbalance in the Spanish defense.
Reinforcements Zenon Debast took over the central position of the three defenders due to the suspension of Diomand. It worked, but there are aspects that need to be improved.
The Spaniards, late in their preparation and without three European champions, created several dangerous moments that were well resolved by the defense or by Kovacevic, a reinforcement for Leo in goal, who showed good success.
In the second half, Giokeres slalom-ed away two opponents but shot into the goalkeeper’s defense. He was gone shortly after.
With the many changes made by Amorim, the game lost quality and intensity. Despite this, it was at this point that the Lions were expecting an undeniable triumph. In a counterattack involving seven players (yes, seven), Marcus Edwards scored to make it 2-0. Shortly after, it was Trincao’s turn to seal the final result and secure the Cinco Violinos Trophy.