Patricio: We will show Dzeko who we are

Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Rui Patricio has hit back at derogatory barbs from Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.

Upon beating Portuguese champions Porto in the previous round of the Europa League, Dzeko reportedly insisted that Vitor Pereira’s team were the biggest in the country and claimed not to have heard of any of round-of-16 opponent Sporting’s players.

Patricio is determined to force Dzeko to eat his words and pointed out that he had already enjoyed victory over the Bosnian while playing for Portugal.

“I know Dzeko very well – I played against him (in a 6-2 win for Portugal in November) and I’ve beaten him,” Patricio said.

“We are Sporting and tomorrow he will know the Sporting players better, for our will and fight.”

After a run of only three wins in 13 matches cost Domingos Paciencia his job, Ricardo Sa Pinto took over at Estadio Jose Alvalade in February and has guided Sporting to three wins, one draw and one loss in his first five games in charge.

Sporting beat Polish outfit Legia Warszawa 3-2 on aggregate to reach the last 16 of the competition.