Sporting CP v Legia: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, September 26, 2016
Article summary
Jacek Magiera is seeking to hit the ground running as he takes charge of Legia for the first time against a Sporting CP side who sense it is now or never for them.
Article top media content
Article body
- Jacek Magiera in charge of Legia for first time; Besnik Hasi dismissed on 20 September
- Legia have lost six of last ten fixtures in all competitions
- Both teams beaten in their opening Group F fixtures a fortnight ago
- Bas Dost has scored four in as many outings since joining Sporting CP
- Adam Hloušek available after serving one-game ban on matchday one
Possible line-ups
Sporting: Rui Patrício; João Pereira, Coates, Semedo, Bruno César; Gelson, Adrien Silva, William Carvalho, Bryan Ruiz; André, Dost.
Out: None
Legia Warszawa: Malarz; Bereszyński, Pazdan, Broź, Hloušek; Guilherme, Moulin, Jodłowiec, Radović; Prijovic, Nikolić.
Out: Kucharczyk (foot )
Doubtful: Pazdan (shoulder)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Jorge Jesus, Sporting coach
Both teams are looking to stake a claim in this group and so a lot of hope and expectation rests on this match. I think the game will be even as there aren't generally huge differences between teams in this competition, unless you are talking about the likes of Real Madrid.
Legia are very competitive and we can't analyse them based on [their matchday one] defeat by Borussia Dortmund. That said, I hope my coaching counterpart's first game in charge doesn't go very well and he can soon start to focus on his first domestic fixture.
Jacek Magiera, Legia coach
This is obviously a big challenge for me but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves – until now I have been at more press conferences than training sessions. Our objective is to boost our confidence and create a strong team. These are very good players at Legia.
I want my players to fight from start to finish. This is the first time a Polish team have been in the UEFA Champions League in 20 years and my team want to leave a good impression of themselves. What would I consider a success? A win.
Weekend results
Sporting 4-2 Estoril (Dost 13 62, Coates 59, André 90+1; Bruno Gomes 85 90+3)
Sporting's fifth victory from six Liga fixtures this season. Bas Dost has been on target in his first three league appearances for the club and André got his maiden Lions goal.
Wisła Kraków 0-0 Legia
Under caretaker boss Aleksandar Vuković, Legia ended their three-match losing run at bottom-of-the-table Wisła on Friday. Magiera was appointed coach on Saturday.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Sporting: WLLWWW
Legia: DLLLWD
Reporter's view: Paul Bryan (@UEFAcomPaulB)
This game has taken on increased significance in light of both teams losing their opening Group F fixtures. While Sporting steadied the ship at the weekend following back-to-back defeats, it is tricky to know what to expect from Legia and their new coach. An intriguing evening awaits.
Did you know?
Jesus's first European assignment as a coach, in July 1998, was a 1-1 draw for CF Estrela da Amadora at Polish club Ruch Chorzów in the 1998 UEFA Intertoto Cup. His Estrela side then drew the home leg 1-1 before edging the tie 4-2 on penalties. Find out more in our extensive match background.