Sporting chances fade after new low

The international break has come at a good time for Sporting Clube de Portugal with Sunday's 0-0 draw against CF Os Belenenses deepening the gloom amid the Lisbon side's below-par campaign.

Unsteady form
Seven matches into the Portuguese campaign and fans in Lisbon are already getting the distinct impression that their wait for a first Liga title since 2001/02 is far from over. The draw with capital minnows Belenenses came in the wake of a 1-0 league defeat at champions FC Porto, and the Lions are already ten points adrift of SC Braga. The shock league leaders are yet to drop a point in 2009/10, and also won at the Estádio José Alvalade.

European relief
European football has given Sporting some relief from domestic gloom. Bento's side reached the UEFA Champions League play-offs with an away-goals victory over FC Twente, and while they lost out to ACF Fiorentina at that stage, getting the worse of two draws, they have made an impressive start to their UEFA Europa League campaign. A 3-2 win at SC Heerenveen – courtesy of a Liedson hat-trick – and, last week, a 1-0 home triumph against Hertha BSC Berlin.

Top of the pile
The Hertha win extended Sporting's unbeaten run in Europe to a record-equalling six games and left them four points clear at the top of Group D, yet Bento's side were still booed at full time by an unusually low home crowd of 16,197. "The fans are entitled to demand more," said midfielder Miguel Veloso. "We also ask more of ourselves and always aim to do better. This time we couldn't, but the fact is we have six points and are leading the group."

Welcome break
A break for international duty may give supporters and players alike a chance to take stock, with Sporting returning to action with a cup game against second division FC Penafiel on 18 October before the UEFA Europa League takes them to FK Ventspils four days later. By that time, goalkeeper Rui Patrício hopes stability will have been restored. "We always try to play well," insisted the 21-year-old. "Sometimes it isn't possible. We understand the fans want better."