Ahead of the game, head coach Vítor Bruno had warned that he was expecting a “big battle”. Just under an hour after the final whistle against PAOK, the Portuguese could only confirm his prediction. The Mauves won 3-2 in a rocking Lotto Park after a thrilling encounter. “Thanks to our fans, because they were fantastic,” said Bruno. A look back at a beautiful European night at the Park.
It promised to be an intense battle between the Mauves and PAOK. “Two teams with a great history in European football and a lot of quality,” said the coach. Under the warm evening sun, the streets around the Park quickly filled with enthusiastic fans. They saw RSCA make the better start to the game. Vítor Bruno’s men looked ready for the battle, sharp in the duels and moving the ball well, with Lukas Ambros playing a key role.
An opening goal made in France
In the 20th minute, the Czech stepped up to take a corner. Ambros delivered the ball onto the head of Giulian Biancone. His header was initially saved by PAOK goalkeeper Pavlenka, but Léo Pétrot was quickest to react and fired the rebound into the roof of the net. The Frenchman’s first goal for RSCA. Right place, right time. The Mauves were rewarded for their strong start and the Park erupted for the first time.
After the game, the coach looked back positively on RSCA’s opening 25 minutes. “We had moments when we played very good football, but defensively we weren’t always perfect.” Just after the hydration break, for example. Zivkovic escaped the attention of the defence of the Mauves and headed home the equaliser, meaning the teams went into half-time level at 1-1.
The Czech conductor
Straight after the break, Lukas Ambros made his case for the Man of the Match award. The Czech brilliantly turned away from two opponents with a feint before calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner - Ambros put Sporting back in front once again. Less than ten minutes later, another contender for the award stepped up. Danylo Sikan curled the ball into the far top corner with his right foot from a standing position. His third goal in four European games, further underlining his excellent form.
In the closing stages, PAOK midfielder Jeremejeff converted from the spot to make it 3-2. Three red cards followed in the aftermath of the penalty: two for PAOK and one for assistant coach Jérémy Taravel. It did nothing, however, to dampen the positivity around the Park. Thanks to the victory over PAOK, the Mauves are guaranteed European football this autumn.
“Together, everything becomes easier”
“We absolutely deserved to go through,” the coach said after the game. The Portuguese ended his press conference with a message for the fans. “I want to thank them, because they were amazing. They supported the team in every moment. We won’t win every game. There will be moments when we suffer, but if we can suffer all together, everything becomes easier.”
In the final Europa League qualifying round, Kairat Almaty await. Sporting will first make the long trip to Kazakhstan. On Thursday 27 August, the Mauves will host Kairat at home as they look to secure a place in the Europa League League Phase. Tickets for the game are now available via ticketing.rsca.be.