SPORTING REPORT

Sunderland were narrowly defeated in their third pre-season game, losing to Sporting CP 1-0 in the Algarve. There were positives to take despite the scoreline, particularly with the midfield in the first half.

Just 48 hours after a draw with Sevilla at the same venue, Sunderland faced the Portuguese champions for the second of two friendlies at the Estadio Algarve. Much like in our games vs South Shields and Sevilla, we played a different XI for each half. The first half was a stronger team with the new signings and the second half featured more academy players and second choices.

For the first half this is how we lined up:

Nna Noukeu, Hume, Ballard, Seelt, Harrison Jones, Talbi, Diarra, Sadiki, Adingra, Le Fee, Mayenda

The opening ten minutes was quite quiet, with a couple of half chances for us - a through ball from Le Fee to Mayenda was cut out by the goalkeeper and Hume headed wide from a corner (also taken by Le Fee). In the 11th minute our opponents took the lead, although there were plenty of people in the stands questioning whether or not it should have been offside. The goal scorer himself probably wasn’t but there were definitely a few who were and were interfering with play.

Following this, we began to search for an equaliser. Mayenda worked a shot away well and won a corner and five minutes later Le Fee set up another chance but Mayenda fired wide from a few yards out. Our best chance of the half followed when Talbi performed a shot from inside the area. Had he got any sort of power on it, it would have certainly found the bottom left corner but it was weak and the goalkeeper dived and caught it on the the ground.

A couple of crosses just missed our waiting players in the minutes that followed and then Sporting found their footing a bit and threatened. A cross came to nothing and then Ballard outmuscled their striker. Diarra had a couple of efforts, sending one over from distance and then forcing a save from the goalkeeper from inside the penalty area (set up by Le Fee again). A Hume strike took a deflection and called their ‘keeper into action, Sporting squandered a long range effort, then Mayenda made the goalkeeper save again and finally Adingra shot over from a difficult angle to conclude the half.

I was really impressed with Enzo Le Fee, he set up multiple chances. With those chances we should have done better though, Mayenda should have scored, as should Talbi. The Moroccan took a while to grow into the game, the first 30-35 minutes weren’t great, he was missing some good opportunities to pass into good positions but for the last 10-15 minutes he showed what he’s capable of really well. The defence wasn’t too busy, perhaps they were a bit slow with the goal however. Harrison Jones did well enough playing at left back considering he’s naturally an attacking midfielder who’s had limited game time in the senior squad. Blondy Nna Noukeu definitely won’t be near the match day squads for league fixtures. Diarra and Sadiki were good again, Sadiki was less involved than during the match versus Sevilla though.

In the second half we put out this team:

Nna Noukeu, Lavery, Triantis, Johnson, Jenson Jones, Roberts, Browne, Neil, Aleksic, Abdullahi, Tutierov

The first ten minutes or so were very active, Tutierov made a run forward and won a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area. Browne also made a nice run forward and laid it off to Lavery but the chance was wasted. Sporting then had a few chances, they flashed a ball across the face of goal but it wasn’t met by anyone and then a corner was punched away by Nna Noukeu (he should have caught it). Neil sent a looping ball the way of Abdullahi but it just skimmed across the striker’s head without any direction being applied to it and then Zak Johnson intercepted a dangerous through ball.

After the hour mark it died down a bit but there were still some chances, the Portuguese side curled one towards the far post but it went the wrong side of the target and then another strike took an awkward deflection and went just wide. Abdullahi dribbled on the left wing but was undone by a heavy touch. The last twenty minutes were a bit tedious: Matty Young came on for Blondy, Browne blocked a shot, Aleksic had a go but fell wide of the goal, Ogunsuyi replaced Abdullahi. In stoppage time, Browne challenged for a cross and caused the goalkeeper to spill it but it went nowhere and the first and only yellow card was presented to a Sporting player for a pretty nasty challenge.

Zak Johnson looks really promising, a loan spell will be necessary for him to ensure proper development and a good amount of game time. Abdullahi wasn’t as active in this game as the last but he wasn’t provided much in terms of service, Browne did well enough and Neil was improved from the Sevilla match. Aleksic wasn’t great admittedly, although I don’t actually think his natural position is as a left winger; rather a central midfielder. Jenson Jones is worth loaning out, he’s done really well across the two games (more so in the first). Tutierov also looked bright.

Overall, there are reasons to be positive with our starting players and I think these games have helped to identify which youngsters are worth loaning out. Hopefully versus Hearts we get to see Reinildo in action for the first time, with a natural left back playing in the first choice XI it’ll gel even more.