Sporting seek redemption in UEFA Cup

Embattled Sporting Lisbon coach Jose Peseiro today vowed to defy his critics and lead his side to UEFA Cup success on home soil tomorrow night.

Sporting’s chances of landing the Portuguese SuperLiga evaporated at the weekend after a 1-0 defeat to city rivals Benfica and Peseiro came in for heavy criticism for what many observers perceived to be a negative approach to a game they needed to win.

Redemption may come with victory against CSKA Moscow at Sporting’s Jose Alvalade stadium and the 45-year-old appealed for a more positive outlook.

“Many people mock me when I say we have a strong squad but I am extremely proud of my players and I believe we can win tomorrow night,” he said.

“We never go out with a defensive mindset and that will also apply against CSKA. Maybe if everyone got behind us it would help.”

Brazilian striker and top scorer Liedson is set to return to the Sporting line-up on Wednesday after missing the Benfica game through suspension but Peseiro denied that would alter his thinking.

It is the third year in succession that a Portuguese team has reached a European final – Jose Mourinho led Porto to the UEFA Cup in 2003, where they beat Celtic in the title match, and Champions League success followed 12 months later with a 3-0 defeat of Monaco.

Portugal also reached the final of Euro 2004 – a tournament they hosted.

Peseiro, though, believes those achievements are not given enough recognition at home. “Sometimes Europeans see us in a better light than we do ourselves,” he said.

“I think tomorrow night is another opportunity to give something to Portugal.

“We showed in losing the final of Euro 2004 to Greece that we were able to accept defeat with good grace an have a sporting mentality. Having said that, I don’t expect us to have to take defeat tomorrow night.

“We will be able to give a positive image of Portugal and Portuguese football to the whole world.”