Sporting with uphill task to qualify for League Cup semis

Sporting slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Portimonense this Tuesday night, in League Cup Group C. Ewerton was the hero on the night for the hosts, scoring both sides of half-time in a game that also saw Marvin make his debut.

Portimonense made an aggressive start to the encounter and were soon threatening goal, with Lumor's 2nd minute shot deflected just wide of the post. Sporting responded second later, with Montero picking out Aquilani, but the Italian's chipped effort floated just over Carlos Henriques' goal.

With the Colombian double team of Montero and Teo particularly active up front, chances started to flow and on 19 minutes Carlos Mané found Teo in the area, but the Portimonense keeper managed to pull off a stop and deny Sporting the opener. Next it was Carlos Mané himself who broke through on goal, but the youngster hesitated a second too long and gave the hosts' defence the chance to scramble away. The team from Alvalade looked in control, but some loose passing in the midfield saw Portimonense snatch possession against the run of play and open the scoring courtesy of Ewerton in the 36th minute. There was still time for Sporting to try for an equaliser before the break, but Bruno César's powerful effort finished up the wrong side of the bar.

The second-half saw Jorge Jesus introduce Matheus Pereira in place of Carlos Mané and the Brazilian immediately caused chaos in the final third, picking out Teo who almost managed to make the most of confusion between Carlos Henriques and Possignolo. Aquiliani came close on two occasions as the clock ticked over and Montero actually had the ball in the back of the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside after what was apparently a deflection from Aquilani.

Despite Sporting's dominance in the final third, Portimonense picked up possession and broke forward, but Marcelo Boeck was able to make a stop from Fabrício. In response, Schelotto made another run down the left and whipped a cross into the box, but Matheus Pereira's finish was off target. On 80 minutes another cross from Schelotto was cut out by Lumor with a handball in the area, but William Carvalho was unable to convert on the spot kick. Portimonense however had better luck from 12 yards, scoring their second after Marcelo Boeck brought down Fabrício in the area.