Sporting Lisbon secured a remarkable 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League, showcasing the tactical brilliance of Ruben Amorim, whose imminent move to Manchester United was highlighted by the dominant performance.
In Amorim's penultimate match in charge of Sporting, Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick to help his side overpower the defending Premier League champions. The result underscored the 39-year-old manager's potential, as Manchester United prepares to welcome him as Erik ten Hag's successor on November 11.
The match at the José Alvalade Stadium saw City take the lead early when Phil Foden capitalized on a defensive mistake in the fourth minute. Despite several chances to extend their lead, Manchester City failed to capitalize, and Sporting responded strongly.
Gyokeres equalized before halftime, and after the break, Maximiliano Araujo scored to put Sporting ahead. Gyokeres then converted two penalties, completing his hat-trick. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland missed a penalty for City, which could have reignited their hopes.
Amorim, who is leaving Sporting after guiding them to two Portuguese titles in four seasons, admitted that a victory over City could spark comparisons to Manchester United's legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. However, with United struggling under Ten Hag’s tenure, Amorim faces a significant challenge to restore the club to its former glory. His first match in charge of Manchester United will be against Ipswich on November 24, and he will face Pep Guardiola’s City in his first Manchester derby on December 15.
Despite City’s early dominance, Sporting managed to seize control. Haaland's penalty miss was just one example of City's failure to capitalize on their opportunities. Sporting’s goalkeeper, Franco Israel, made key saves to keep his side in the game, and Gyokeres took full advantage of defensive lapses, including exploiting the inexperience of City’s 19-year-old center-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
The second half started with Araujo’s quick strike after the break, and Gyokeres' clinical finish from the penalty spot compounded City’s misery. The loss, City’s third in a row across all competitions, marks a significant blow to their confidence ahead of their upcoming matches, including a crucial Champions League tie against Brighton this weekend.
For Sporting, the victory was a fitting farewell for Amorim, who leaves his team with a perfect record in the group stage, accumulating 10 points from four games. The result cements Amorim’s legacy as one of Europe’s most promising managerial talents, leaving the club in excellent form as they head into the remainder of the season.
