Sporting 0-0 Sabadell: 25,000 souls to see this — my unfiltered analysis of the debut (with Juanma Castaño)

What's up, lads? First postmatch of the 2026/27 season and fair warning: it's a scorcher. I recorded it straight from the Siroko box at El Molinón with a special guest, Juanma Castaño, who summed it up better than anyone while emotions were running hot: «dreadful match, absolutely dreadful from Sporting; barely any football, soft as butter at the back». And look, I love playing devil's advocate, but this time I can't.

25,000 madmen on a Monday in August

Let's start with the only undeniable thing from the night: nearly 25,000 souls at El Molinón, a working Monday in August, with half of Asturias on holiday and the season ticket campaign sitting at around 24,000. We're not right in the head, and we're proud of it. La Mareona did their bit. The other side of the bargain... let's get into it.

The five-man defence of... disappointments

We came out with Yáñez in goal and a five-man defence — and don't argue with me that they were three centre-backs, we all saw it — with a double pivot in front. Scared at home, against a newly promoted side, on your debut in front of your people. But look, I'll buy playing with five at the back if the team is drilled in that system and it makes you solid. But we didn't play well, we weren't solid, and we couldn't produce a decent pass all night. A sieve with six blokes at the back.

I don't know how many seasons I've been doing postmatch analyses or how many genius managers have passed through here, but the stat is this: not a single manager has made the five-at-the-back system work at Sporting. Zero. And we're reinventing football at El Molinón again. Brilliant, we'll be flying like this.

Special mention to the throw-ins, which nearly gave me a heart attack: five-man line practically in the six-yard box, Sabadell camped up front, two or three risky passes that looked like they were going to the opposition... and then a hopeful long ball with Otero, Sarco and Gelabert left to fend for themselves. Once, fine, you try it. But EVERY SINGLE ONE was like that. And the manager just kept at it.

The player ratings, no sugar-coating

Yáñez, top marks: saved what came his way and pulled off a bunch of important clearances when caught out. Guille Rosas, best player on the pitch by a country mile — at the back, in midfield and up front, with two chances to boot. He's the captain as far as I'm concerned, never mind the armband. Nikita, willing but out of position: he's a winger and played as a full-back, so defending-wise, say no more. Gularte... off the pace: powerful in the tackle but sluggish, terrible on the ball and with sprints that had Sergio Ramos energy nobody understood. Juanma said it more politely than me: «very poor». Pablo Vázquez and Diego Sánchez, no howlers but prisoners of a system demanding quick, technical centre-backs — exactly what we haven't got. The Corredera and Manu midfield pairing was knackered defending because there was no engine room. Gelabert, trapped by the system: forced to drop, never clean enough on the ball to create. And Otero and Sarco up top, poor lads: watching long balls fly over their heads all night. They couldn't have done more.

Guillamón: five minutes and straight to the physio

The big blow of the night. Hugo Guillamón was making his debut — the signing I've been most excited about all summer — and he lasted five minutes on the pitch. When I was filming the video, we didn't know how bad the injury was, and it's especially gutting because this lad could be the best midfielder in this division if fit. Of the substitutes, not much else to say: Konrad played centre-forward — I saw him shine as a winger at Ceuta last season, we'll see how that switch works out — and minutes for Nacho Martín, Duñabeitia and Pablo García.

Fair play to Sabadell: for a newly promoted side I thought they looked serious, comfortable on the ball and gave us a tough time. Although I'll also say: we made it easy for them.

The window still open (and I'm worried)

Two weeks of the market left and things could go either way: we could sign someone decent who gives Larcamón options... or we lose Gelabert, Guille Rosas or Otero and we're left with our pants down. And this rumour about Manu García everyone's been asking me about on social media: relax, he's not coming here, 100% confirmed. Besides, think about it logically: if you play five at the back and Gelabert can't find a spot, why would you want another midfielder?

My take? Pretty disappointed with the start. We've got four of our first five matches at home and we've already wasted one. This league is a right bitch, pal: before you know it, bam-bam, your face is painted — ask Zaragoza. Today I'm in doom mode: the target is 50 points, and then we can talk. Hopefully in a few matchdays I'll be eating my words with a cider. Hopefully.

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