Sporting response gives Veloso hope

Good response
The victory, achieved thanks to an own goal by Reto Zanni and a Derlei strike, got the Lions off the mark in Group C following an opening loss at FC Barcelona. Veloso admitted it was a relief to put that reverse at Camp Nou and the weekend derby defeat by SL Benfica behind them, saying: "We would have liked a better result against Benfica, as no team likes to lose as much as we have recently, but it's always important to respond well after a defeat and this will be good for our confidence." The 22-year-old appreciated that the unusual manner of the opener, as Zanni was struck by his team-mate David Abraham's attempted clearance, had been a welcome stroke of fortune. "We had a bit of luck with the first goal but sometimes that's the way in football," said the Portuguese international. "I think we started well, though we didn't play as well as in the second half when we really managed to take control of the game."

Vukčević influence
The recalled Simon Vukčević could take much of the credit for that improvement, with Paulo Bento's decision to introduce to the midfielder at half-time enabling Sporting to take the game to their visitors with greater conviction. The scorer of two goals when the sides last met in Lisbon seven months ago, the Montenegrin international looked lively and was involved in the build-up to the own goal. Vukčević believes Sporting's win was all the more valuable in the context of events in Ukraine, where Barça scored twice at the death to beat FC Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1. "It was very important to win," he said. "The three points are very important to us, especially as Barcelona won at Shakhtar. That result shows how quickly things can change."

'Big improvement'
Basel's Scott Chipperfield could only reflect on what might have been after a promising first-half display from the visitors. "It's very disappointing," he said. "It was a big improvement on our last game here, and also on the first game against Shakhtar Donetsk. We worked really hard in the first half and created some good chances. Obviously the first goal was very important, and to lose a goal like that was very disappointing." The Australian international conceded that a UEFA Cup place would now be the Swiss champions' target following successive defeats, and with a double-header against the group leaders to follow. "Not many teams will beat Barcelona but playing in Basel you never know," he said. "We play well at home normally, so hopefully we can do well. Maybe they will take us lightly. We need something from at least one of the two games."