A Gyökeres penalty is not enough to take points in the UEFA Europa League

Sporting Clube de Portugal fell 1-2 to Atalanta BC in their second UEFA Europa League Group Stage game, in front of the best home attendance of the season at the Estádio José Alvalade. Some 42,301 spectators turned out to support the team, who put in a great performance that fell just short of earning points.

To face the side currently sixth in Serie A - just five points off the lead -, coach Rúben Amorim made three changes to his starting lineup: Iván Fresneda – making his debut in the first XI – replaced Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Reis did likewise for Sebastián Coates, and Paulinho joined the attack in place of Marcus Edwards. Hidemasa Morita played his 50th game for the club.

In the stands, the atmosphere was frenetic from the start with Alvalade roaring loudly, but on the field the play would be defined by patience and a lot of concentration. Before the first ten minutes had elapsed, Atalanta BC had two dangerous approaches: On the first, Ademola Lookman burst into the area but found no recipient for his pass, then captain Marten de Roon's header went wide.

Sporting CP tried to use their short ball output to invite the Italians on, and Atalanta BC responded with their usual man-to-man marking. The intention was to then look for Viktor Gyökeres up front or Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves between the lines , but there was little progression and the visitors had more of the ball.

As the minutes passed, Os Leões provided two quick attacks in which the only thing missing was better finishing. However, in response, after half an hour, Atalanta BC made it 0-1 with the first goal that Sporting CP had conceded in four games. Davide Zappacosta got to the line and a low cross to the heart of the area found a touch by Giorgio Scalvini. Soon after, Lookman threatened twice, but first shot over the crossbar and then had his effort met by solid opposition from Antonio Adán.

Before the break, Atalanta BC took the score to 0-2 through winger Matteo Ruggeri, who after a tackle went through on Adán and scored off a rebound from his own shot.

Looking to change the dynamic, Amorim made changes at halftime, bringing on Sebastián Coates, Geny Catamo and Marcus Edwards for Nuno Santos, Morten Hjulmand and Paulinho. The team restarted the contest more aggressive and forced Atalanta BC to resort to constant fouls to slow down their movement. From one of these set pieces, Sporting CP finally came very close to scoring, but Inácio's header off Edwards' cross went slightly wide.

There was a new energy and belief amongst Sporting CP, with the game being played almost exclusively in the Italian side's midfield and  the visitors now finding it very difficult to maintain possession. On two different moves in the area, Gyökeres looked for space to shoot, but his strikes ended up being blocked by a defender.

With Ricardo Esgaio replacing Fresneda, it was Matheus Reis' turn to try his luck on goal, and Musso intervened.

The breakthrough finally came from the penalty spot: Diomande shot rebounded onto Scalvini's arm and, after VAR reviewed the images, a penalty kick was awarded. Just like in Faro the previous weekend, it was Gyökeres who took responsibility and confidently dispatched the spot kick.

The shift in momentum led to a great series of chances at an equaliser, as Musso got the better of a one-on-one with Edwards and only the post prevented Geny from levelling.
Atalanta BC were trying to survive as best they could, punctuated by a shot from distance from the newly introduced Gianluca Scamacca that forced Adán to save.

In the end, although they had the better of the shots and possession, Sporting CP suffered their first defeat of 2023/24. Thus, with Atalanta BC taking the lead in the head-to-head duel between the two teams that won on the opening matchday of the group, Sporting CP are in second place, level with SK Sturm Graz.

This Sunday they return to Alvalade to host FC Arouca in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK] [C], Iván Fresneda (Ricardo Esgaio, 66'), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis (Daniel Bragança, 90+1'), Nuno Santos (Sebastián Coates, 46'), Morten Hjulmand (Marcus Edwards, 46'), Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, Paulinho (Geny Catamo, 46') and Viktor Gyökeres.