Jair Ventura’s immediate impact after arriving, and the pragmatic and ultra-defensive approach in the final third were enough to get Sport surviving in this return to top flight. A defeat in last game meant no continental competition next season, though.
Pernambucanos were serious candidates to relegation after a disastrous performance in state competition and a very poor start in league (4 points in first 6 rounds). However, the arrival of cautious coach Jair Ventura had a very good effect on the team, which was sitting comfortably in the top half of the table at the end of the first 19 rounds.
As the team’s strategy became more evident, the lack of dynamism and talent in attack meant a return to bad results. From round 14 to 31, Sport picked only 3 wins and 3 draws, and relegation was right there, once again.
The departure of important names like Lucas Mugni, Jonathan Gomez, William Farias and the injury of Leandro Barcía were among the main causes for a new fallout, exposing the lack of depth in the squad.
The biggest signing for the season Thiago Neves finally started to perform in the final third of the season, scoring and assisting enough times to get Sport the points needed to survive.
Sport’s strongest weapon was however their tight and organized defence. Luan Polli proved to be worthy of the position in goal; Adryelson and Iago Maidana formed one of the most interesting partnerships of the entire league at the back.
Sport will definitely need improvement in the squad, both in quality and quantity. Jair Ventura should work on more tactical options, as this season’s ultra-defensive approach may prove to be much too predictable if repeated in the next one.
