Sporting Lisboa are level with Arsenal and it’s all set around the corner

This Thursday, Sporting and the Gunners did not take advantage of the duel for the round of 16 of the Europa League 2022-2023 and finished tied 2-2.

The goals of the match for the locals were scored by Gonçalo Inácio (33′ 1T) and Paulinho (9′ 2T). While the away goals were scored by William Saliba (21′ 1T) and Hidemasa Morita (16′ 2T, against).

Antonio Adán was the figure of the party. The Sporting Lisboa goalkeeper was fundamental in saving 7 shots.

Matt Turner was also important. The Arsenal goalkeeper was fundamental in saving 5 shots.

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu made Sporting Lisboa midfielder Ricardo Esgaio dance and gave him a pipe in the 63rd minute of the second leg.

The game was fairly contested, in which the fouls began to pile up. There were several warned: Sebastián Coates, Olexandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Martinelli and Hidemasa Morita.

Sporting technical director Ruben Marques Amorim proposed a 3-4-3 strategy with Antonio Adán in goal; Jeremiah St.Juste, Sebastián Coates and Gonçalo Inácio on the defensive line; Ricardo Esgaio, Pedro Gonçalves, Hidemasa Morita and Matheus Reis in the middle; and Marcus Edwards, Paulinho and Francisco Trincão in attack.

For their part, those led by Mikel Arteta stopped with a 4-3-3 scheme with Matt Turner under the three sticks; Ben White, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior and Olexandr Zinchenko in defence; Fábio Vieira, Jorginho and Granit Xhaka in midfield; and Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson up front.

Referee Tobias Stieler was chosen to carry out the actions of the match.

With this tie, the key to the quarter-finals between Sporting and the Gunners will be played in the second leg. The match will take place on Thursday, March 16.

Note and image source: DataFactory