Pereira, the imperturbable doorman
A revelation. Preferred over Rui Silva to take part in the Sporting goal, Kaique Pereira delivered a perfect performance during his team's victory against Racing club Lens (0-2) this Tuesday. And at the same time reinforced the judicious choice of his trainer Rui Borges. Agile, always well placed and reassuring for his defense, the Brazilian disgusted a Lens attack which nevertheless tried everything. Decisive and vigilant against captain Florian Thauvin (56th), it was especially against Amadou Haidara that the Portuguese rock was sparkling. First in the 36th minute, then on the hour mark with a clear strike from the Malian (60th). An exceptional flight worthy of the greatest goalkeepers in the competition. Promising clean sheet for the 23-year-old goalkeeper.
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Suarez, still as effective
Clinic. The Colombian striker confirmed his excellent form. Discreet and out of sight in the first minutes of the match, Luis Suarez was able to emerge at the best of times, when no one from Lens expected it. A fox goal from the surfaces intelligently concludes from close range to cool down a boiling Bollaert (22nd). Restless and available in the second period, the former OM center forward caused real problems for the Sang et Or defense. Released five minutes from the end, the 28-year-old striker produced a complete and satisfactory performance. Dynamic to continue.
Haidara and Risser gave everything
One in midfield, the other in goal. Amadou Haidara and Robin Risser are the main players in a Lens which was, at certain moments, enterprising and encouraging. The Malian was solid in his sector and put the opposing goalkeeper to work several times (36th, 60th), without ever managing to change the game. Dominant in his duels, particularly in the first period, Haidara has nothing to be ashamed of for his performance. The Lensois goalkeeper played his match. It is indisputable. Without his valuable interventions, the bill would have been much higher, like a monstrous save half an hour into the game which left his team alive in the match (33rd). The Frenchman reiterated on the hour mark with a reflex foot stop on a strike from João Simões (61st). Nice performance.
FLOPS
Baidoo, upside down
Match to forget. Samson Baidoo is the symbol of a defense which capsized in the second period. Author of several more than questionable restarts, he put all his teammates in difficulty. Bad anticipation, wrong placements, weakness in duels, the Austrian missed his match. First out on the hour mark, Yannick Cahuzac replaced him with Ruben Aguilar (58th). Baidoo was not up to the task of a Champions League match. It's a shame.
Thauvin, a frustrating clumsiness
The Lensois playing master tried a lot, but was very little dangerous. Florian Thauvin had the ball for a long time, attempted a considerable number of crosses but rarely found teammates. With his partner of the moment, Matthieu Udol, they sought to combine to unlock a match where the Sang et Or were trapped. But the technical waste of number 10 prevented a return of the Northerners to the match. In terms of strikes, it’s the same refrain. Lots of imprecision, like his harmless attempt ten minutes from the end which ended up next to the Portuguese goal (83rd). Thauvin and his team will have to relaunch in the Champions League against Bruges next Wednesday (9 p.m.).
