Benfica won big - who had expected something else against maritimo - and is the only contender of Porto. Remarkable result 0 - 6 win from Braga at Estoril.
Portuguese Football 2017/2018
- Thread starter SCP
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Only 2 portuguese coaches with that profile atm are Fonseca or Jardim, none of them will return so soon for Portugal.
To have a sporting director with a clear vision for the entire football structure and have a coach who only has to worry with the team we would need to sign someone with that profile, because our current sporting director is JJ, simply doesn't work because he has a rigid football concept.
Misic probably was the scouting department, Wendell probably a business oportunity taken by BDC or André Geraldes, if they were JJ players they would play more.
They care more about the individual development of the player instead having a similar way of playing across all age groups, reason why it explains so many players struggle when they reach the first team imo, I like some things RB Salzburg does on their academy, players with 18,19 or 20 years when they are promoted from the B team they feel comfortable, while with us only the real talented players can make it.
Do any of you think Jorge Jesus should go ? I mean he has elevated Sporting to a higher level since he arrived, he should have won the title in 2015/16 ( still cant believe they did not win that year) and overall this is the best Sporting I remember seeing in a long time (not this season in particular but the last 3 seasons as a whole). I agree this season has been disappointing because I expected us to fight until the very end and truly belive we have one of the best and most expensive teams we have had in a long time. I agree he has made some mistakes along the season especially rotation wise but is there truly anyone better that Sporting can get right now ? Jardim is out of our league now and Fonseca tho an interesting option that I would not disprove of is he better then JJ. Im sure some Sporting fans will disagree with me but it cant be just the coach. I remember many fans wanted Marco Silva out and I was one of the few who wanted him to stay and now look at him. The only reason we get upset about the kind of season we are having now is because since JJ arrival he has elevated our expectations along with that I am very sure my Sporting posters know it is a lot harder to win the title at Sporting. JJ has made some casting errors this season and he was stubborn in terms of squad rotation and even winter signings. But some things are just hard to explain and cant be blamed on him for example the last minute penalty in the Lisbon derby where all of our defenders had our hands up to play volleyball or the last minute setubel equalizer also by penalty or the no penalty call on doumbia vs Porto and the misses from Rafael Leao( tho his non experience is a factor) and Fredy montero. All in All do I think JJ is a good coach? Absolutely. Do I believe he elevated Sporting as a contender? Absolutely. Has he made some mistakes obviously but is he a worse coach then fecking Rui Vitoria and Sergio Conceicao? ( though the latter has done a god job) ? absolutely NOT.
We should be looking at other options at the very least, if there isn't anyone better I'd be ok with him staying but we'd have to seriously improve next season. We've lost titles to great Benfica and Porto teams but this season we're ending behind 2 average teams.
We're still in the cup and in the Europa League so I still haven't really made up my mind.
We're still in the cup and in the Europa League so I still haven't really made up my mind.
Like I said its hard to win at Sporting then at those clubs. I have no doubt that JJ at porto would win the title back to back. just as he did at Benfica.
Any poster here knows how Dalot played vs Liverpool? I have high expectations for him and Rafael Leão, hopefully now that we already lost the league JJ will play him more, this portuguese generation of 99 is one of the best we ever had, and I am not the type of guy who likes to hype portuguese players for sure.
Rafeal should get some game time since Doumbia and Dost are out plus he has won over JJ.
I think Porto has one of the best teams in a long time. A team is more then just the sum of the players but I find them very strong against little teams. They survived the CL group phase in a strong group. For me the tactics of Sporting is get the ball to Gelson or Bruno Fernandes and hope that they can turn up some magic. Lately since the game against Sporting benfica has become stronger but I don't know if that is because of them or because of "malas" but I know that they we're kept in the title run by padres at the start of the season when they needed to replace some of the key players that left the club.
I think that it is better to let JJ go because I hope that then there will be a little more tranquility at the club.
He seems ready to play runs and counterattacks, but seemed limited yet with the back against the goal.
I have to disagree with the Porto has one of the best teams in a long time statement. I remember vastly better team. The truth is the League got weaker and then of course to win games in Portugal there are always "other" ways. As far as Sporting I still Think JJ should stay because he is great coach I truly believe that and plus there are no better options that we can get. The problem is he has elevated Sporting expectations to something it has not been in a very long time.
Jorge Jesus putting his faith in a young player. Has hell frozen over? 
I guess he's got no choice but still...
I guess he's got no choice but still...
He is still very "green" he has a lot to learn has not even played a handful of games yet for the senior side but he has lots of raw potential that should be tapped into and the experience he can get in the rest of this season can be vital for him for next season.
TBF he has promoted a lot of youth players to the first team since taking over. Gelson Martins, Matheus pereira played a lot in the 15/16 season, Semedo, Podence, Rafael Leao, and he gave Iuri countless chances which he did not grab.Jorge Jesus putting his faith in a young player. Has hell frozen over?
I guess he's got no choice but still...
Which is why I'm constantly baffled by the transfer activity by your club. Every transfer window there seems to be a large movement of players in and out of the team. Many players get bought, don't get played and then are sold in the next window or season.
Rather than wasting the time and money on bringing in these players that JJ seems to have no interest in, why not make a bigger effort to give some of the younger players in your B team or academy some game time?
I don't know how exactly the transfer system works at your club. Do you have a Director of Football or a Sporting Director or something similar?
Yes we do. His name is Andre Geraldes. I believe there should be a mixture. For example: Instead of spending money multiple players for small amounts of money Sporting should make "surgical" buys meaning 2 or 3 quality players who can make a difference for example Bas Dost and Bruno Fernandes and then compose the team of other players from our Youth team that are ready. But if there are some interesting business opportunity's they should be taken for example Wendel or at the time Ryan Gauld players who have that potential . Instead of buying 7 or 8 players should overall 3 or 4 Surgical buys while also trying to maintain the core of the team.
On paper the core of our team is very solid:
Rui Patricio
Coates----- Mathieu ( he is old an aging)
William-Bruno F.
Gelson M.
Bas Dost
Is he our sporting director, I see him more as a team manager. I find it hard to believe that Andre Geraldes decides which player we get, I think JJ and BDC are the persons who have most input in the transfer strategy. Ah yes the transfer strategy is horrible, with always getting central defenders and a lot of midfielders. What if Bas Dost or Gelson Martins got a injury and were out for 6 months.
Well yes he is technically our Sporting director but I also tend to believe BDC and JJ decide all the transfers.
Imo Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Fernandes and Ronny Lopes deserve to be called to the next WC, Ronny is scoring a lot of goals for Monaco.
The friendlies before the WC will decide a lot of things, as of now I have no idea who we'll call up. If you were Santos what squad would you take and how would you play?
Lets see:
GK:Patricío, Anthony Lopes, Beto
Fullbacks: Cedric, Ricardo Pereira, Mário Rui, Guerreiro
Centerbacks: Pepe, Pedro Mendes, Rolando, Ruben Vezo
Defensive midfielders: William, Danilo
Central midfielders: Moutinho, Manuel Fernandes, Bruno Fernandes
Wingers/offensive midfielders: João Mário, Bernardo Silva, Gelson, Bruma
Forwards: Cristiano, Guedes, André Silva
Christ, couldn't find a spot here for Ronny, to take him would have change him for Bruma, couldn't leave Gelson out, and Santos likes to play with Bernardo and João Mário as false wingers, even if João Mário I would only call him because he is used to play with the team, same thing for Guerreiro too.
Something like this with a 4-4-2 à là Santini:
1 - Patricio
2 - Cedric
3 - Guerreiro
4 - Pepe
5 - Rolando
6 - William
7 - Bernardo Silva
8 - Moutinho
9 - Cristiano
10 - Guedes
11 - João Mário
2 upfront with Guedes and Cristiano, with André as option in the bench, ultimate case if there is a injury Bruno Fernandes plays a little bit behind one upfront, ultimately its not easy to find a spot for Ronny, more easy for me Manuel and Bruno Fernandes because Adrien and André Gomes aren't playing much.
Reality is he probably will call Quaresma too, so this is going to be more confusing, even 1 of Adrien or André Gomes will go, for me João Mário only will be called because is used to how the team plays, his last 2 seasons were awfull, big disappointment for me.
Not even going to mention he will probably call Fonte, Neto, hopefully not Bruno Alves, its going to be terrible if he calls the same players of the last 2 years, its 2014 written in the stars again, only difference is 1st game is vs Spain and not Germany.
It's pretty much impossible to make a squad without feeling like you're being unfair to someone. I don't think I've ever had such a hard time picking a team, I could debate this forever without getting to any conclusion.
That's a good squad but I disagree with a few things. I like that first 11 a lot, I'd only change Rolando for Fonte, he's had injury problems this season but the partnership with Pepe has worked and since others aren't really good players I don't think we should be changing anything there. I wouldn't mind Bruno Alves as the 4th CB, he's good friends with everyone and he's a leader in that dressing room too. He's not good enough but neither are the other options.
My biggest worry about that 11 is playing a front 2 of Guedes and Ronaldo since Ronaldo usually thrives with a 9 next to him. Ronaldo-André Silva has worked very well so far. I think we should go Ronaldo-Guedes in the tougher games and Ronaldo-André Silva in the easier ones.
Quaresma has to go. The amount of times he comes off the bench and changes the game for us is incredible. He's a big game player, loads of experience and he's having a good season. He needs to go which means Bruma and Ronny Lopes will probably stay at home and Gelson will most likely get next to no game time. Gelson and Quaresma are 2 very similar bench options which almost feels like we're wasting a spot.
I think I value players' experience a lot higher than you did, Bruma is a better player than Quaresma but I'd still take Quaresma ahead of him. I'd take Coentrão for Mario Rui too.
Also Adrien for Manuel Fernandes and André Gomes for Bruno Fernandes who I'm not 100% convinced that he'll fit in well in this team. A midfield of William-Bruno Fernandes has barely worked for us so we shouldn't really be playing like that in a World Cup.
I know it migh sound like a joke but we'll miss not taking Eder too. We saw in the final of 2016 how important it is to have a target man who can hold the ball up, but there simply isn't enough space in the squad for him.
So for me it would be something like this:
Maybe I'm too caught up in the 2016 victory and it's really time to make more abrupt changes. If I've learnt anything from past tournaments is that we'll go into the tournament with one team, get spanked by Spain and by the second game half the team will have changed anyway
That's a good squad but I disagree with a few things. I like that first 11 a lot, I'd only change Rolando for Fonte, he's had injury problems this season but the partnership with Pepe has worked and since others aren't really good players I don't think we should be changing anything there. I wouldn't mind Bruno Alves as the 4th CB, he's good friends with everyone and he's a leader in that dressing room too. He's not good enough but neither are the other options.
My biggest worry about that 11 is playing a front 2 of Guedes and Ronaldo since Ronaldo usually thrives with a 9 next to him. Ronaldo-André Silva has worked very well so far. I think we should go Ronaldo-Guedes in the tougher games and Ronaldo-André Silva in the easier ones.
Quaresma has to go. The amount of times he comes off the bench and changes the game for us is incredible. He's a big game player, loads of experience and he's having a good season. He needs to go which means Bruma and Ronny Lopes will probably stay at home and Gelson will most likely get next to no game time. Gelson and Quaresma are 2 very similar bench options which almost feels like we're wasting a spot.
I think I value players' experience a lot higher than you did, Bruma is a better player than Quaresma but I'd still take Quaresma ahead of him. I'd take Coentrão for Mario Rui too.
Also Adrien for Manuel Fernandes and André Gomes for Bruno Fernandes who I'm not 100% convinced that he'll fit in well in this team. A midfield of William-Bruno Fernandes has barely worked for us so we shouldn't really be playing like that in a World Cup.
I know it migh sound like a joke but we'll miss not taking Eder too. We saw in the final of 2016 how important it is to have a target man who can hold the ball up, but there simply isn't enough space in the squad for him.
So for me it would be something like this:
Maybe I'm too caught up in the 2016 victory and it's really time to make more abrupt changes. If I've learnt anything from past tournaments is that we'll go into the tournament with one team, get spanked by Spain and by the second game half the team will have changed anyway
Christ, have you been talking with Santos? I know I am a bit radical, but you are choosing almost the same lineups as Santos, while Manuel Fernandes is playing much more and better than Adrien, he also plays in Russia.Other factor is Bruno Fernandes, how can you let a player at this level being outside for André Gomes, Adrien or even João Mário? It would be totally unfair.
But guess what I believe Santos will choose those players you mentioned, we will be spanked by Spain, probably won't beat Morocco and in the last game Queiroz will send us home while everybody will be moaning and complaining we should have called other type of players.
I don't want to be repetitive, but do you know Fonte is in China and on the first match of the Chinese League his team lost 8:0 vs Vitor Pereira team? He didn't even made 90 minutes, so good was his performance.
Bruno Alves? The man can't even play for Rangers, do you want to compete against Spain with Piqué and Ramos or Morocco with Benatia with Fonte or Alves? I know Rolando, Pedro Mendes or even Vezo are nothing special, but at least they play every week in good leagues.
I think Santos knows what he's doing and we shouldn't change much from the team that won the Euros. It's a World Cup, it doesn't get bigger than this and he'll want to take players he knows he can trust, not gambles.
I'm convinced Fonte isn't finished and that he'll be ready if he's a starter. CB partnerships are a tricky thing to change around and we already know Pepe-Fonte can work. I know he's had a crap season and that he's in China but the other options aren't good either. I understand your point of view too and if you ask me another day between today and the actual tournament I'll probably change my mind about it.
The reason I'm leaving Bruno Fernandes out for Adrien, J. Mario and Gomes is because I don't see a purpose for him in this squad. He's good but it's not like he's a star player either, he still makes wrong decisions and loses the ball way too often. Adrien has to go, big time player that will trouble the best midfielders in the world and both J. Mario and Gomes fit perfectly on that role in the left side of the midfield. I don't really care how Manuel Fernandes is playing, I don't trust him to play a huge game in a World Cup for us.
I'm valuing continuity over their recent form since I really think the best thing about this team is the system they're playing in which allows us to face any team in the world knowing we can make it a close game, no matter how boring it is.
Wether we change things around or not I think we run the serious risk of getting knocked out in the group stages and even if we get out the quarters are probably our ceiling. It's the last WC for the spine of this team - Pepe-Moutinho-Ronaldo - so hopefully it ends on a high. First game against Spain will be huge, we really need to get at least a draw out of it so we don't go to the remaining 2 games with loads of pressure on our shoulders.
I'm convinced Fonte isn't finished and that he'll be ready if he's a starter. CB partnerships are a tricky thing to change around and we already know Pepe-Fonte can work. I know he's had a crap season and that he's in China but the other options aren't good either. I understand your point of view too and if you ask me another day between today and the actual tournament I'll probably change my mind about it.
The reason I'm leaving Bruno Fernandes out for Adrien, J. Mario and Gomes is because I don't see a purpose for him in this squad. He's good but it's not like he's a star player either, he still makes wrong decisions and loses the ball way too often. Adrien has to go, big time player that will trouble the best midfielders in the world and both J. Mario and Gomes fit perfectly on that role in the left side of the midfield. I don't really care how Manuel Fernandes is playing, I don't trust him to play a huge game in a World Cup for us.
I'm valuing continuity over their recent form since I really think the best thing about this team is the system they're playing in which allows us to face any team in the world knowing we can make it a close game, no matter how boring it is.
Wether we change things around or not I think we run the serious risk of getting knocked out in the group stages and even if we get out the quarters are probably our ceiling. It's the last WC for the spine of this team - Pepe-Moutinho-Ronaldo - so hopefully it ends on a high. First game against Spain will be huge, we really need to get at least a draw out of it so we don't go to the remaining 2 games with loads of pressure on our shoulders.
My starting lineup would be
4-3-3
GK:Rui Patricio
RB:Nelson Semedo (Cedric)
LB: Guerreiro
CB: Pepe
CB: realistically I know it will be Fonte BUT I would call up Rolando and Bruno Alves as well ( It is our weakest position In the national team.
CDM: William Carvalho ( Danilo)
CM:Joao Mario(Manuel Fernandes, Moutinho)
CM/CAM:I want it to be Bruno Fernandes but I am certain it will be Adrien as a cm
RW: Bernardo Silva ( Quaresma, Bruma, Gelson)
ST: Andre Silva ( Goncalo Guedes)
LW:Cristiano Ronaldo ( Goncalo Guedes)
Now understand it says 4-3-3 but it can very easily and most likely will transition too a 4-2-2 when the game is being played. Ronaldo benefits from playing with Andre Silva who tends to perform for Portugal BUT I would also like to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Guedes up front together. As the game wears on and we need goals I can see Guedes coming on for Andre Silva Ronaldo become more of a main striker with Guedes in behind him and the. Adrien or Joao Mario or Bruno Fernandes get subbed off for Gelson Martins. I would also be very intrigued to see Bruno Fernandes playing that number 10 role because he gives a creative spark to the team and is a player not many of the opposing teams know. Another good thing is Bruno Fernandes has a (GOOD) habit of shooting rockets towards goal when he sees an opening which can make many teams uneasy.
4-3-3
GK:Rui Patricio
RB:Nelson Semedo (Cedric)
LB: Guerreiro
CB: Pepe
CB: realistically I know it will be Fonte BUT I would call up Rolando and Bruno Alves as well ( It is our weakest position In the national team.
CDM: William Carvalho ( Danilo)
CM:Joao Mario(Manuel Fernandes, Moutinho)
CM/CAM:I want it to be Bruno Fernandes but I am certain it will be Adrien as a cm
RW: Bernardo Silva ( Quaresma, Bruma, Gelson)
ST: Andre Silva ( Goncalo Guedes)
LW:Cristiano Ronaldo ( Goncalo Guedes)
Now understand it says 4-3-3 but it can very easily and most likely will transition too a 4-2-2 when the game is being played. Ronaldo benefits from playing with Andre Silva who tends to perform for Portugal BUT I would also like to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Guedes up front together. As the game wears on and we need goals I can see Guedes coming on for Andre Silva Ronaldo become more of a main striker with Guedes in behind him and the. Adrien or Joao Mario or Bruno Fernandes get subbed off for Gelson Martins. I would also be very intrigued to see Bruno Fernandes playing that number 10 role because he gives a creative spark to the team and is a player not many of the opposing teams know. Another good thing is Bruno Fernandes has a (GOOD) habit of shooting rockets towards goal when he sees an opening which can make many teams uneasy.
Yes and No we have much better quality heading into the World Cup and Andre Gomes for example is as average as they come Bruno Fenandes and Manuel Fernandes are much more talented and offer us something much more then that of Andre Gomes.
I actually think Bruno will end up going, absolutely no idea who'll stay at home because of it tho
Even though he deserves to go I feel Manuel Fernandes will stay home.
Moutinho, Adrien, Andre Gomes, João Mário, Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Fernades. 2 of those will stay at home, it’s not an easy decision and Santos will get criticism no matter what he does
realistically Andre Gomes ( Trash) and Adrien Silva( Hasn't played for most of season) would stay home. The issue is Santos likes continuity and Adrien knows the setup but if I had to pick those two would stay home.
Bruno Fernandes has been by far our best player this season, and when I say far is really far from Gelson, Dost or Mathieu.
Anyone who thinks Adrien or André Gomes deserve more than him to be in the next WC, I have to respect their opinion, but looking at performances its really hard to explain why players like him, Manuel Fernandes or even Rolando have to be left out to bring other players who are having a awfull season like Fonte, Gomes or Adrien.
Doesn't make sense to me, only exceptions for me are Guerreiro or João Mário, not because they are playing much, but because they are used to play with the team, ok we can say Fonte did a good partnership with Pepe, but that was 2 years ago, in the last Confederations Cup he was awfull, the same for Adrien or Gomes.
I have to say I may be someone in the minority of sportinguistas who doesn't rate Adrien very much, and I am not surprised why he doesn't play much for Leicester, yes he had bad luck when he arrived and the lack of competition might have something to do with that, but still don't see him as nothing special, at least for me.
João Mário for me has been my biggest disappointment, contrary to Adrien I thought he was talented enough to make it at international level, but he simply isn't proving to be good enough to compete with the elite.
Sometimes the way we praise our players in Portugal should be restrained, because the intensity levels in our games are bellow the top leagues, even the Russian teams in the last 5 seasons have been always better than us.
I know this is controversial but still is my opinion.
benfica won again and gets 3 points closer to porto who lost today in Pacos de Ferreira. Sporting plays tomorrow but I don't believe that they are contenders anymore.
porto still 2 points in front of benfica Sporting 8 points behind with one game less.
porto still 2 points in front of benfica Sporting 8 points behind with one game less.
Nobody deserves to win the league this season.
There must have been about 30 minutes of actual football in that game by the way, this league is rotten.
There must have been about 30 minutes of actual football in that game by the way, this league is rotten.
That has been a fact for the last 35 years.
Yes PacoI gained a lot of time I think what happened to Porto was the same as what happened to Sporting in Estoril, bad game conditions and then the ball who didn't roll for them.
Jesus. That was one of the worst time wasting games ever. It was even worst than Boavista's Jaime Pacheco
Shit refereeing as usual, it never fails to amaze me how bad it is.
Bas Dost is our best player by a mile, this team is completely set up to play with him upfront. Good win but the only way we have a shot at the title is if Porto drop points before they play Benfica.
Bas Dost is our best player by a mile, this team is completely set up to play with him upfront. Good win but the only way we have a shot at the title is if Porto drop points before they play Benfica.
Okay Bas is Back. Still don't believe in the title, If we want to have a chance we have to win every game and maybe even that won't be enough. And I think we have the most difficult shedule of the top 3. I think benfica has the easiest shedule.
If we win every game we still have a chance but yeah, it's most likely gone already after the Porto result.
Way to early to make the selection, players can get an injury.
If I look at your selection, I don't believe in Rolando, Moutinho was one of the weakest links for me. Therefore I would choose Bruno Fernandes. That 4rd centre back Ruben Vezo I don't know him but Fonté playing in China isn't an option for me.
I don't know how the fitness level is of players such as Adrien, Nani who don't played that much but who probably have a lot of credit from Santos.
Good win from Sporting in a tough away game with a lineup ruined by injuries and suspension. Big win that "Reopens" the title Race for Sporting (Though I don't believe we have a chance). Shoutout to Bas Dost who is our most important player coming off the bench today with 2 goals. Im not to bothered about Sporting's schedule for the remaining league games because we tend to do better against teams higher up in the table. For Sporting to win the title they need Porto to lose 2 more games one of them I think they will lose will be vs Benfica but Sporting need them to lose 1 more before or after that game. As for Benfica as long as Sporting beat them and Porto lose 2 games and Sporting win there games they are champions. Do I believe this will happen? Absolutely Not. But one can only hope.
STANDINGS AS FOLLOWS:
PORTO-67
BENFICA-65
SPORTING-62
BRAGA-58
STANDINGS AS FOLLOWS:
PORTO-67
BENFICA-65
SPORTING-62
BRAGA-58
I was a bit neutral but after this last accusation by Sporting against my club, now I hope they don't win it. Amazing how accusations of clubs losing on purpose are thrown around as if they're nothing. That Saraiva is a disgusting character.