
It’s rare for Manchester United fans to closely follow a Manchester City match, but Sporting CP’s 4-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s side offered them ample entertainment. Sporting’s manager, Ruben Amorim, joked before the game that a victory would make people think of him as Sir Alex Ferguson, which, while light-hearted, ended up foreshadowing some tactical similarities to Ferguson’s era.
Going into the match as underdogs, Sporting was underestimated by most, yet they managed to dismantle City on the counter-attack, largely due to Viktor Gyokeres’ incredible hat-trick. The game didn’t start promisingly for Sporting, as City initially dominated possession. Sporting’s attempts to play out from the back left them vulnerable to City’s high press, leading to frequent turnovers.
However, Amorim quickly adapted, steering his team towards a more direct, vertical approach, capitalizing on quick transitions and hitting City in open spaces. This shift in strategy proved effective, as Sporting became relentless in the second half, eventually securing a decisive 4-1 scoreline. In the end, City might consider themselves lucky not to have lost by a greater margin.
This victory echoed elements of a classic Sir Alex Ferguson tactic from the 2012-2013 season. Back then, Manchester United had just suffered a crushing defeat on the final day, missing out on the Premier League title. To ensure his team would not experience a similar fate, Ferguson signed Robin van Persie, a prolific goalscorer.
It’s widely known that Ferguson instructed his players to prioritize passing to van Persie, understanding that his goal-scoring ability could change games. This tactical tweak paid off as van Persie led United to another title in Ferguson’s last season.
In a similar vein, Amorim tailored his approach around Gyokeres’ strengths, instructing his team to get the ball forward quickly and find Gyokeres in open spaces. After an initial phase of struggling with City’s pressure, Sporting settled into a more defensive stance, leaving their wingbacks and striker higher up the field. The goal was clear: bypass City’s high press by launching quick, vertical passes toward Gyokeres and his fellow attackers, who found plenty of space to exploit. Players like Trincao and Araujo thrived under this approach, contributing to a fluid, forward-focused attack that rendered City’s press ineffective.
Gyokeres’ clinical finishing and the collective creativity of Sporting’s front line ultimately dismantled City’s defense, making this match an unforgettable moment for Sporting fans. While nobody is seriously comparing Amorim to Sir Alex Ferguson, his tactical adjustment did offer a nod to the great manager’s playbook, especially in its direct approach and the reliance on a key striker to break through an opponent’s defense.
Manchester United fans, witnessing their city rivals lose so decisively, surely enjoyed the spectacle, with Rasmus Hojlund likely among the many beaming at Sporting’s triumph.
Leave a Reply