Sporting CP and LOSC Lille will aim to get their UEFA Champions League campaign with a win
For the first time in UEFA Champions League history, Sporting CP will face off against LOSC Lille at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday. This inaugural meeting comes as part of UEFA’s newly expanded league phase, with both teams vying to secure early points in a fiercely competitive group.
Sporting CP enter the clash in stellar form under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim, who has continued to build on the team’s domestic dominance. Conversely, Lille, now under the management of Bruno Genesio, are still finding their rhythm after a recent coaching change and some inconsistency in Ligue 1.
Sporting CP have become a rising force on the European stage in recent years, advancing to the knockout stages of continental competition in each of the last three seasons. Their success includes strong performances in both the Champions League and the Europa League. Last season, the Lions made it to the Europa League round of 16, where they were eliminated by Italian side Atalanta. However, their domestic achievements speak volumes, having stormed to their 20th Primeira Liga title, finishing well ahead of their rivals Benfica.
So far in the 2024/25 season, Ruben Amorim’s squad has been untouchable, winning all five of their domestic matches while scoring 19 goals and conceding just two. Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres has been instrumental, already scoring his 50th goal for the club during a 2-0 win over Porto.
Sporting CP may be excelling domestically. But their recent European form has been patchy, with seven losses in their last 12 home games in European competition. However, a home win against Lille could set the tone for a successful Champions League campaign as they return to Europe’s elite after a year away.
Lille have had their fair share of Champions League moments, including a last-16 appearance in 2021. But they have often fallen short of making a deep run in the competition. Their last European journey saw them reach the Europa Conference League quarter-finals before being knocked out by Aston Villa on penalties.
After successfully navigating the Champions League qualifiers—beating Fenerbahce and Slavia Prague along the way—Bruno Genesio’s men have secured their place in the competition’s group stage once more.
However, Lille have struggled to find consistency in Ligue 1 this season. After a promising start with two consecutive wins, they have since faltered, losing their last two matches, including a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Saint-Etienne before the international break.
Facing a resurgent Sporting CP and with a crucial match against Real Madrid on the horizon, Lille will need to tighten up both in defence and attack. Jonathan David remains key, as his decisive goal in the qualifiers propelled Les Dogue into the group stage. Still, their away form in Europe has been less than stellar, winning only two of their last nine matches. The Hard Tackle explores the possible lineups and strategies for this much-awaited match.
Team News & Tactics
Sporting CP
Sporting CP are set to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation for their Champions League clash, with Franco Israel likely to start in goal due to first-choice keeper Vladan Kovacevic’s recent ankle injury sustained in training. Israel has already deputised in their recent match and will need to perform strongly between the posts in Kovacevic’s absence.
In defence, Eduardo Quaresma will line up on the right side of the back three, with Ousmane Diomande playing centrally, and Goncalo Inácio on the left. This trio will be tasked with organizing the backline while also contributing to the build-up play, particularly Inácio, who is known for his distribution from the back.
In the wing-back positions, Geovany Quenda will operate on the right flank, while Geny Catamo will be on the left. Both players will have dual responsibilities: pushing forward to provide width and attacking support, while also tracking back to protect the defense when needed.
The midfield pairing of Hidemasa Morita and Morten Hjulmand will anchor the team, with Morita taking on a more creative role, driving forward and linking the defence with the attack, while Hjulmand will sit deeper, breaking up opposition play and offering defensive solidity.
In attack, Francisco Trincao and Pedro Goncalves will support lone striker Viktor Gyokeres from slightly deeper roles. Trincao, with his dribbling skills, and Goncalves, known for his ability to find space and finish chances, will be critical in providing service to Gyokeres.
Gyokeres, in sensational form this season, will spearhead the attack, looking to add to his tally of eight goals. His physicality and eye for goal will be Sporting CP’s main offensive threat. The Portuguese giants will have to manage without key defender Jeremiah St. Juste, who is ruled out due to injury, further emphasising the importance of defensive stability against a challenging Lille side.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Franco; Quaresma, Diomande, Inacio; Quenda, Morita, Hjulmand, Catamo; Trincao, Goncalves; Gyokeres
LOSC Lille
Lille will head into their Champions League opener with a few injury concerns. Mitchel Bakker was welcomed back into the squad over the weekend, but they will still be without Ngal’ayel Mukau, Hakon Haraldsson, and Ismaily.
Ethan Mbappe also missed out recently due to a minor injury, and his availability remains uncertain. Despite these absences, Lille have enough depth to field a competitive lineup, with key players set to feature, such as Angel Gomes and Edon Zhegrova, who will be instrumental in supporting star striker Jonathan David.
In their expected 3-4-2-1 formation, Lucas Chevalier will take his place between the posts, offering security as the team’s last line of defence. The back three will likely consist of Bafodé Diakité on the right, Aissa Mandi in the centre, and Alexsandro on the left. These three will need to work in unison to keep Sporting CP’s formidable attack at bay.
Tiago Santos, a product of Sporting CP’s youth system, is expected to feature as the right wingback, with Gabriel Gudmundsson on the opposite flank. Both will be tasked with providing width and transitioning quickly between defence and attack. In the central midfield, Benjamin André and Angel Gomes will partner up, with André focusing on breaking up play and Gomes bringing creativity and forward momentum. Gomes, having recently made his England debut, will be crucial in linking the defence with the attack.
Up front, Jonathan David will lead the line as the lone striker, with Edon Zhegrova and Rémy Cabella playing just behind him in supporting roles. Zhegrova’s pace and Cabella’s playmaking ability will be key in creating chances for David, Lille’s top scorer for the past three Ligue 1 seasons.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Chevalier; Diakite, Mandi, Alexsandro; Santos, Andre, Gomes, Gudmundsson; Zhegrova, Cabella; David
Key Stats
- Sporting CP and Lille have met just twice in European competition, during the 2010-11 UEFA Europa League group stage, with the Portuguese giants winning both encounters—1-0 at home and 2-1 away.
- Lille won their first-ever away trip to face a Portuguese side in Europe, beating União de Leiria 2-0 in the UEFA Intertoto Cup in August 2004. However, they have lost on each of their last three such trips, all without scoring a goal.
- Sporting CP have only won one of their six games against French sides in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League (D1 L4). They have lost their last three meetings with French opponents, most recently in the 2022/23 group stage when they were defeated home and away by Marseille.
- Lille have never won their opening game of a UEFA Champions League campaign, drawing three and losing four of their seven such matches. When starting with an away game, they have lost three of four and failed to score in each defeat.
- Sporting CP have won their opening game in two of their previous three UEFA Champions League campaigns, beating Olympiakos 3-2 in 2017-18 and Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in 2022/23. Prior to that, they had only won their opening game in two of their first seven appearances in the competition.
Player to Watch
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres has quickly established himself as a pivotal figure in Sporting CP’s attacking lineup. The Swedish striker has been in sensational form this season, already racking up eight goals, including a hat-trick away at Farense. His blend of physicality, pace, and clinical finishing makes him a constant threat to opposition defences, and his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play adds an extra dimension to Sporting’s forward play.
Gyokeres has proven his worth not only domestically but also on the international stage, with 11 goals and five assists for both club and country this season. His consistency in front of goal has seen him score in all three of his previous home starts in European competition. Given Lille’s defensive vulnerabilities, Gyökeres will be a key player for Sporting as they look to make a strong start in the Champions League.
With his combination of skill and form, the Swedish ace is expected to lead the line with confidence and could very well be the difference-maker in this crucial opening match for Sporting CP.
Prediction
Sporting CP 2- 1 LOSC Lille
Sporting CP’s formidable home form in the Primeira Liga, combined with Lille’s recent struggles in Ligue 1, makes the Portuguese champions slight favourites for this clash. Ruben Amorim’s side will likely dominate possession and create plenty of chances, with Viktor Gyokeres continuing to lead the line effectively.
However, Lille have the ability to hit on the counter-attack, and Jonathan David could capitalise on any defensive lapses from the hosts. Ultimately, Sporting CP’s attacking prowess and solid defence should see them through, but Lille are more than capable of making this a closely contested affair.