Pep Guardiola knew what to expect from Ruben Amorim’s Sporting CP side. But stopping Manchester United’s new head coach in his tracks was another challenge entirely.
Speaking in the build up to Tuesday’s remarkable 4-1 hammering of the 2023 Champions League winners, Guardiola highlighted the tactical approach that has made Ruben Amorim such a success in Lisbon.
And, furthermore, the tactical approach that Manchester United will hope to see Erik ten Hag’s replacement emulate at Old Trafford.
Guardiola could not speak highly enough of the Old Trafford-bound Ruben Amorim and the work he has done at Sporting CP; their identity, his ability to turn young up-and-comers into some of the best in Europe in their positions.
The quick interplay that creates countless opportunities in behind for star striker Viktor Gyokeres. The speed in which Sporting can switch the ball from one flank to the other, making the pitch as big as possible while overloading the opposition.
But, even in his worst nightmares, the Manchester City boss surely could not have expected that Sporting would rip his side to shreds so brutally as an emotional Estadio Jose Alvalade said their final goodbyes to the most iconic Lions coach in modern history.
Pep Guardiola has been full of praise for Manchester United’s new boss Ruben Amorim
“The pattern is so clear,” Guardiola told reporters on Monday. “I think the use possession [to play out from] the back a little more than before.
“Gyokeres’ movements in behind are so, so dangerous. [Sporting play with] pace and control. Links on the side, a good switch of play, movements in behind for the people in attack…
“It’s quite similar to two seasons ago. They changed the players but with the same manager, the same mentality.
“Winning the Portuguese league after 20 years and last season again, that shows how good [Ruben Amorim’s] has been here.”
After a poor givaway gifted Man City a lead after just four minutes – Phil Foden taking full advantage after Sporting lost the ball in their own half – the tactical acumen Guardiola highlighted during his pre-match press conference came to the fore.
Only a few moments later, Sporting forced Man City into a turnover of their own.
And while the usually-clinical Gyokeres would be denied by Ederson – shades of Danny Welbeck versus Manuel Neuer in an attempted chip which fell kindly into the goalkeepers arms’ – there was to be no reprieve for Guardiola’s side as the jet-heeled Swede burst through again later in the first-half.
Viktor Gyokeres scores hat-trick as Sporting hammer Man City
Guardiola knew that Sporting are at their most effective when springing the trap and bursting forward in rapid-fire transitions. But being aware of the danger and stopping it are two very different things.
Amorim saw the potential weaknesses in Man City’s high-possession, everyone-push-up-the-park approach and exploited it in devastating fashion.
Gyokeres would not be denied again as Geovany Quenda broke City’s high-line.
Sporting’s second goal – fizzed home by Maximilian Araujo in almost identical style just after the interval – was another straight out of the Amorim playbook.
With two second-half penalties, Gyokeres notched a hat-trick as the awe-struck Man United supporters watched on.
And while a sensational centre-forwards display on the biggest stage will only increase the clamour amongst fans for Man United to bring the striker to Old Trafford alongside Amorim, perhaps the Red Devils already have a Gyokeres of their own given the striking similarities between he and Rasmus Hojlund.
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