Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Sporting in Lisbon, but there is still work to be done at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Pepa is a Portuguese coach who has worked at the top level in his home country and in Brazil. Here he assesses the key tactical aspects of the first match and considers why Louis Borges’ Sporting team could also cause an upset in the second leg.
Arsenal struggle to create in possession Sporting’s problems in the build-up Yurman’s return changes dynamics Portuguese side also threaten with set-pieces
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Paul Merson claims Arsenal’s loss to Bournemouth could crush confidence
What happened in Lisbon?
“From a tactical point of view, the match between Sporting and Arsenal in Alvalade was, in my opinion, very competitive, intense, a match between two good teams with not many clear goal chances, but with very interesting tactical and technical aspects.
“If you look at Arsenal, they are a top-level team, they are the leaders of the Premier League and they have a great record in the Champions League with 10 wins and one draw out of 11 games.
“I would like to highlight their ability to maintain structural compactness in the shape of a 4-4-2 in the moments when they do not have the ball. They have no problem employing this movement in deep areas and are able to close down central spaces effectively.”
“I would also like to emphasize the awareness of pressing the trigger, which allows very physically strong players to retrieve the ball high up the pitch. This often leads to man-centered pressing behavior.
“They recorded 19 defensive actions in the opposition half, compared to Sporting’s seven, so the difference is clear.
“In possession, Arsenal struggled to create clear danger, even though they had slightly more possession.
Riccardo Calafioli’s fluid role at Arsenal is illustrated by his touch map against Sporting
“Their main actions include the more anarchic or perhaps fluid role of Riccardo Calafioli, who starts as a left-back but then moves into the central area and even into the finishing zone.
“The quality of our three midfielders in Declan Rice, Martin Zvimendi and Martin Odegaard, their ability to connect plays under pressure, and the one-on-one ability of Noni Madueke, who was frequently targeted, were also important aspects.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie Carragher explains Bournemouth vs Arsenal’s opening goal on Monday Night Football
“I can’t help but mention Arsenal’s attacking set-pieces. They are the best team in Europe when it comes to attacking corners. Against Alvalade they had four corner kicks, none of which resulted in a goal, but one hit the crossbar.
“As for Sporting, they had a very positive performance considering the quality of the opponent.
“We believe that the team’s experience in the Champions League this season, where we played against top opponents such as Juventus, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, will allow us to approach these types of matches with more confidence and maturity.
Pepa is a Portuguese coach who led Cruzeiro in Brazil’s first division.
“From a defensive point of view, Sporting presented a dynamic structure that they have used in several games, alternating between a 4-4-2 mid-block where Pedro Goncalves sits a little higher at times and joins Luis Suárez and Trincao, and a 5-4-1 with Geni in a lower block, where Arsenal built with a back three, joining Luis Suárez and Trincao.
“This behavior has already been well-instilled in the team, and combined with a strong personality and an extraordinary competitive spirit, they were able to neutralize the opponent’s intentions, with the exception of conceding goals.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Gary Neville hints at how Mikel Arteta should prepare Arsenal for Man City
“The performance of Ousmane Diomande and Maxi Araujo in Sporting’s defensive department is noteworthy, but it seems important that Maxi pays more attention to the number of fouls, especially considering the areas in which they occur. He committed seven fouls in the first leg.”
“Sporting in possession faced difficulties in the build-up, especially with Gonzalo Inácio’s mistakes, but mainly due to Arsenal’s strong pressure.
“Against the opposition’s defensive structure, Sporting succeeded in creating problems mainly in the wide areas with Maxi on the left and Genny Katamo on the right.”
If Arsenal are the best team in Europe at attacking corners, Sporting are the fourth best, meaning this could be the decisive moment of the match.
Pepa
Will Sporting be able to overcome the shock?
“The sporting world must remain true to itself, play to its strengths and be even more focused, consistent and effective than in the first match, knowing that the challenges will be even greater.
“Sporting played the first leg in a completely favorable environment with the support of their fans, but they will now be playing away from home and the result was a negative first leg.
“But we have already seen this Sporting team surpass ourselves several times and I believe that after the first game, despite all the difficulties, the belief will be very strong.
Morten Hjurmand’s return from suspension is a big boost for Sporting
“What may be relevant will be the players that Sporting are able to recover from injuries in time for the game: Morten Hjurmand, the captain and a key figure in the team dynamics, returning from suspension.
“Other players like Quenda will also be important, especially as an option during matches. Players who come off the bench and help the team are becoming increasingly important, as was the case with Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz in Lisbon.
“I believe set-pieces will also be important. If Arsenal are the best team in Europe at attacking corners, Sporting are the fourth best, which means this could be the decisive moment of the game.”
