The sporting plan of SLO coach Ricardo Dionisio: “YB must press hard and take full risks”

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Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, Porto – and number four Braga. Ricardo Dionisio (41) worked for all four major Portuguese clubs. Nowhere as head coach, such as at Nyon, Sion and now Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy. But the Portuguese was U15 and U17 coach at Benfica and fitness coach at the other three clubs. A season at Sporting.

It’s 300 versus 60 million

Dionisio, who made life unpleasantly difficult for YB with SLO in the 0-1 defeat in Wankdorf, is considered a proven tactical expert. He dissects his opponents meticulously. So also the last YB. And now for Blick YB opponents Sporting Lisbon, who are ahead after 3-1 in the first leg. A game where two worlds come together! YB, in a Champions League year at least with a turnover of more than 100 million francs. Team market value estimated at 60 million. Most expensive move ever: Kasim Adams for four million. Record turnover: Fabian Rieder and Aurèle Amenda for 15 million each.

Sport? Budget unknown. “But it is much higher and not comparable to YB,” says Dionisio. Team market value: 300 million. Record signings: Viktor Gyökeres (21 million) and Morten Hjulmand (18 million) – both brought in this season. Record departure: Bruno Fernandes to Man United in 2019 for 65 million before Daniel Ugarte to PSG in 2023 for 60 million. Like I said: two worlds.

YB must surprise Sporting

You often forget those differences when you see eleven against eleven players on the field, says Dionisio. “What makes it even more difficult for YB is that Sporting is having an excellent season thanks to enormous investments!”

So does this mean: YB has no chance? ‘That’s not what I meant to say. Normally you always have chances to score. YB could have scored three goals at home against Sporting. The starting phase will be crucial. And for YB there is only one option: surprise Sporting!”

Hold the ball for a long time, counterattack through the wings

What the YB should do is somewhat surprising. “If I were a coach, I would put the pressure on. Why? The stadium will be full and the atmosphere will be exuberant. The Lions will do everything they can to end the match with one or two more goals in the opening quarter. Sports are used to limiting the opponent. If someone comes along and stands up and presses high, it can catch them off guard.”

So full risk? “In a final like the second leg, I would go straight into the match, yes. Because after that first fifteen minutes the pace usually slows down a bit. Even though Sporting is still storming at 200 kilometers per hour. Therefore, two things are crucial: first, keeping the ball. Otherwise, one wave of attacks after another will flow towards the YB objective. And secondly, consistently use the space available due to Sporting’s attacking playing style, especially on the wings.

Sporting scored in 34 out of 35 matches!

According to Dionisio, two goals are always possible. “But,” he raises his warning finger, “Sporting has always scored in every match this season, with the exception of the League Cup match against Braga. 34 times!” So you have to be aware from the start that it doesn’t take two goals to draw, but three. At least.

Oof! An enormous task that awaits YB…

Source : Blick