Analysis: Sport de Soso not only wins, but also convinces in a “purposeful” start in Series B | sport

Sport’s start in Series B of the Brazilian Championship has been a reflection of Mariano Soso’s work. Obsessive in the search for a game model that, in short, is defined as “purposeful”, the coach instilled in the red-and-black team a mentality that goes beyond the search for results: he essentially values ​​good football.

Sport x Vila Nova – Best Moments

It is with consistent performances, especially in the last few games, that Sport has consolidated itself as the team with the longest undefeated streak in the country. There are already 13 games, more than two months, without losing.

After beating Amazonas in the Series B debut, in Manaus, in a match in which they were superior to their opponents for most of the game, Friday night reserved an even more inspired Leão to face Vila Nova, at Arena de Pernambuco.

And Sport massacred the team from Goiás in the first half. He didn’t calm down until he opened the scoring.

With a high-intensity game volume, Sport crushed the opponent with a sequence of opportunities created, presenting an arsenal of varieties, with plays coming, in particular, from two players: Lucas Lima and Tití Ortiz.

From side to side! See the full play of Sport’s Gustavo Coutinho’s goal against Vila Nova

“It was a beautiful move that reflects a lot of what Soso’s work has been like in Sport: a very well-organized counterattack, with infiltration by Tití Ortiz, with a deep pass, and the goalscorer’s eye for goal. All of this makes the difference “, praised Cabral Neto, TV Globo commentator.

Very participative, Lucas Lima did what is expected of him: he created, left his teammates in front of the goal and, an important factor: he gave himself up. At 33 years old, the midfielder has stood out for his physical drive, dedication reflected in offensive and defensive volume.

Argentine Tití Ortiz, in turn, has grown after three games as a starter. Whether it’s the dead ball, or the intelligence of the headed pass that ended with the red and black’s first goal, the attacking midfielder has evolved game by game and is paving the way for consolidation in the team.

– He is a technically very differentiated athlete, he hits the ball like few others. Today, playing further forward, he did very well in creating plays and creating scoring opportunities – said Danny Morais, TV Globo commentator.

Another detail noted by Danny Morais was the good physical moment experienced by Sport. Well prepared, the team has managed to remain intense from the beginning to the end of the game.

– The team is physically well. And one thing that makes a difference is that when Sport loses the ball, this intensity minimizes the effect so that such an offensive team doesn’t suffer so much at that moment – explained the commentator.

Despite the superiority, in the second half, after scoring the second goal, coach Mariano Soso’s team lost strength. Not only for the victory achieved, but also for the pieces that came from the bench.

Lucas Lima, for example, complaining of muscle pain, asked to be replaced. Pedro Vilhena was unable to maintain the same technical level.

– The bench was the most negative, most worrying point of the game. When the changes began, it was clear that the team’s performance would drop. When Lucas Lima left for Pedro Vilhena, it was obvious that there would be a change in talent, as was the case with the changes, with the exception of Fábio Matheus who started well – assessed Cabral Neto.

Sport 2 x 0 Vila Nova | Goals | 2nd round | Series B 2024

Despite this consideration, reinforced by injury absences such as Alan Ruiz and Barletta, Sport ends the second round of Series B strengthened: due to the results, the positive sequence, the synergy between coach, team and fans and, in particular, the solidity of the good football repeated game by game.

Now, the red and black team will join forces for a duel that can be treated as a “bonus” in the season: face the powerful Atlético-MG, next Tuesday, at Arena MRV, in the third round of the Copa do Brasil. An opponent with power not yet faced by Sport in 2024 and which can offer challenges that Leão has not yet faced this season.