Sporting CP officially presented to the fans for 2016/17 campaign

Alvalade hosted the French side Lyon in the 2016/17 season's official presentation match this Saturday, with the privilege of the kick-off given to five-year old Franciso in representation of the fans.

Jesus fielded his usual defensive four (Schelotto, Coates, Ruben Semedo and Zeegelaar), behind a midfielder composed of Petrovic, Bryan Ruiz, Gelson martins and Bruno César, while Barcos and Alan Ruiz led the attack. Defending the Sporting goal was Azbe Jug.

The game got off to a typically lukewarm start for a pre-season friendly, but the first chance of the evening did fall to Sporting, when Alan Ruiz whipped in a free-kick that eventually ended up with Gelson close to the touchline. The youngster did well to pass his defender and charge into dangerous territory, before releasing Barcos for a shot that hammered off Lyon's lefthand post.

Little by the little Lyon tried to push their way out of defence, but some shooting from range kept the French visitors pegged in, with Schelotto, Alan Ruiz (23) and Bruno César (45) all trying their luck.

The second-half proved to be a typical example of the old football anecdote that you have to take your chances. Although Sporting could have taken the lead through a chipped effort by Alan Ruiz (47’), it was Lyon who took the lead, when Alexandre Lacazette headed in on 53 minutes after a cross by Rafael that Rui Patrício (on for Azbe Jug) could do little to keep out.

A wave of late substitutes sapped any real pace out of both sides in the final stages, with the only incident of note being a header from Naldo finding the inside of the post with twenty minutes on the clock after a cross from Iuri Medeiros (70’).