The squad led by Rúben Amorim finished the season in fourth place, a position that misses out on the Champions League. In terms of the squad, Sporting has a lot of players with top of the class performances in their respective positions. To understand their individual impact to the team, we present the average ratings of the players in a Back 5, the type of defence used for the whole season. In addition, this players must meet the necessary minutes requirement to be considered (minimum 450 minutes played in the season in a type of predefined defense: Back 4 or Back 5).
Sporting’s eleven with the most minutes played this season (Primeira Liga).
Star Player:
- G. Inácio (CB) – 7.84
In this squad, Sporting’s CB – Gonçalo Inácio – was the player with the highest average rating.
Other Key Players:
- P. Gonçalves (M&W) – 7.71
- M. Reis (CB) – 7.62
- M. Ugarte (M) – 7.43
- M. Edwards (CF&W) – 7.63 and 7.08
With several players having above average seasons, we need emphasise the average rating obtained by Marcus Edwards in two positions. Marcus archived a 7.63 average rating playing at the striker position and a 7.08 average rating playing on the wing.
Additional information regarding the team (Primeira Liga).
With more positive results at home than away (13 Home Wins & 10 Away Wins), it is possible to consider Sporting a stronger team at home. Besides that, the positive goal difference highlights the good offensive output (2,09 goals per game) with a solid defense (0,94 goals per game).
Sporting’s eleven and subs with the most minutes played in the Champions League (Minimum 180 minutes played in this competition).
With another presence in the Group stage of the Champions League, Sporting only managed to play good football in Europe in the two initial games. M. Edwards had incredible performances playing at the CF position but the amount of minutes played was limited. In addition to that, players like A. Adán, P. Porro and M. Ugarte were really important for the positive results achieved.
Sporting’s eleven and subs with the most minutes played in the Europa League (Minimum 180 minutes played in this competition).
Finishing 3rd in the Group stage of the Champions League allowed Sporting to play Europa League Knockout Round. In this competition, Sporting played better football even managing to eliminate Arsenal, at that time, the first place team in the Premier League. P. Gonçalves was Sporting’s star player with incredible performances and goals. In addition to that, M. Ugarte was also a key contributor for the positive results achieved.
Positions most in need of strengthening:
- M
With only two players for the midfield position (three including P. Gonçalves), Sporting needs to reinforce this position with quality players to be able to rotate the squad without a significant drop in quality of players.
Meaning of the used abbreviations:
- G – Games
- W – Wins
- D – Draws
- L – Loses
- P – Points
- GS – Goals Scored
- GA – Goals Against
- GD – Goal Diference
- HW – Home Wins
- AW – Away Wins
Data from FBref.