Viktor who? Sporting’s new Gyökeres has sights trained on Arsenal
In Portugal, the expressions “green symbolizes hope” and “hope is the last to fade” are deeply ingrained in the culture. For Sporting, a club known for its green colors, these words hold more than just symbolic meaning—they are central to the team's spirit.
https://veezstream.comp>After a crushing 3-0 defeat to Bodø/Glimt in Norway during the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match, it seemed like the tie was over. However, Sporting had other ideas. In front of nearly 50,000 fans, the team mounted an incredible comeback, winning 5-0 and advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time in 43 years. Next up: Arsenal, and with it, the ongoing debate: Is hope merely a relic of the past, or is it Sporting’s greatest strength?
https://veezstream.comp>“The fact that Sporting managed to beat Arsenal not long ago boosts the players' belief that it’s possible,” said Ricardo Sá Pinto, former Sporting player, coach, and club legend, referring to their dramatic Europa League win over Arsenal on penalties in 2023. “Anything can happen in football, even when teams appear mismatched on paper.”
Another source of hope for Sporting has been their ability to replace Viktor Gyökeres, who will face his old club in the first leg on Tuesday in Lisbon. After Gyökeres’ move to Arsenal last summer, many thought it would be impossible to find a worthy successor. Over two seasons, Gyökeres scored 97 goals for Sporting and led them to consecutive league titles. Yet, despite his impressive record, his absence has not been deeply felt.
One reason for this is the bad blood left by his forced exit, which many Sporting fans view as a betrayal. More importantly, Sporting found a talented replacement in Luis Suárez, the Colombian international who has been a key player this season, often scoring crucial goals in stoppage time. Before moving to Portugal, Suárez made a name for himself in Spain’s second division, scoring 31 goals in the 2024-25 season with Almería.
“Luis has demonstrated an uncanny ability to score important goals, even when others might have given up,” Sá Pinto explains. “Replacing Gyökeres was never going to be simple. South American players rarely make a big impact in their first year in Portugal, but with the backing of the manager and his teammates, Suárez has been indispensable.”
While Gyökeres excelled with his physical presence—dominating defenders, winning aerial duels, and exploiting space behind the defense—Suárez plays a different role. He is much more involved in build-up play, orchestrating movements in the final third. His technical ability surpasses that of Gyökeres, even though he might not be as clinical in front of goal. With 33 goals in 42 appearances, the 28-year-old has quickly become a fan favorite and leads the league's scoring charts.
Sá Pinto, who managed Sporting in 2012, witnessed their last major European run, reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. That year, Sporting eliminated Manchester City in the round of 16 but fell short of the final after conceding a last-minute goal to Athletic Bilbao. Their most recent appearance at this stage of the European Cup was in 1983, and they’ve never advanced further. This season, they have a real chance to make history.
Sporting are the most prolific attacking team in Portugal, but this season their offensive play has been overshadowed by Porto’s strong defensive record. Sporting sit second in the league, trailing Porto by five points but with a game in hand. After Porto's unexpected slip-up against Famalicão last Saturday, Sporting’s hopes of securing a third consecutive title are reignited.
Last season, manager Rui Borges stepped in after Ruben Amorim's sudden departure to Manchester United and the unsuccessful promotion of João Pereira, the youth coach who briefly replaced Amorim. Despite losing their star striker, Borges managed to keep the core of the squad intact.
Under Borges, Sporting predominantly play a 4-2-3-1 formation, a departure from Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3. For Borges, controlling the midfield and maintaining possession are key priorities.
Against smaller teams in the league, Sporting typically advance by carefully circulating the ball, but against Arsenal, that rhythm will likely be disrupted. Against such an experienced team, any misplaced passes or turnovers in dangerous areas could be exploited.
Morten Hjulmand, Sporting’s Danish captain and defensive midfielder, plays with intensity and is crucial in transition moments. He is also a frequent target during set-pieces, such as corners and free-kicks. Like Arsenal, Sporting have scored the most goals from set pieces in their domestic league.
Pedro Gonçalves, renowned for his remarkable 50-yard goal at the Emirates Stadium in 2023, remains one of the club’s most influential players. He has the freedom to roam, exploiting gaps in the opposition's defense, especially on the wings, but he can also drop deep to collect the ball and initiate play.
Although Arsenal will likely control the tempo, the outcome of the tie will depend on how well Sporting handle the spaces they usually dominate in domestic games. Whether it’s Suárez’s late goals or Gonçalves' ability to drift between the lines, will they have enough creativity in the final third to trouble the Premier League leaders?
