Porto added another trophy to the cabinet after a routine 3-0 win against Tondela in the Super Cup. Mehdi Taremi and Evanilson scored within three minutes to establish a 2-0 half time lead, Taremi bagging his brace in the 82nd minute to end a one sided contest.

Danny Loader got a rare start for the Dragons but was continually denied by Babacar Niasse who kept the score respectable. New signing Gabriel Veron was a late substitute and headed wide with the last chance of the game.

Sérgio Conceição reached a signifcant milestone in Aveiro, winning his eighth trophy with FC Porto to surpass Artur Jorge who won seven titles between 1985 and 1991.

The transfer of former Benfica captain Pizzi to Al Wahda in the United Arab Emirates, coached by Portuguese manager Carlos Carvalhal, was confirmed yesterday.

Although it comes as no surprise, the subdued exit and fraught end to Pizzi’s career at the Estádio da Luz feels unsatisfactory for both the player and the Lisbon club.

It should not be forgotten that we are talking about a footballer who gave outstanding service to the Eagles: 8 seasons, 360 games, 94 goals and 10 trophies. So how did it end this way? 

Vitória de Guimarães advanced to the Europa Conference League third qualifying round after a 0-0 draw against Puskás Akadémia. The second leg was a match to forget, the hosts lacking the sufficient quality to trouble Bruno Varela who was untested in Hungary.

The tie was decided in the first leg at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques where Os Conquistadores secured a 3-0 victory. Tiago Silva continues to impress for the Portuguese club who face Hajduk Split in Croatia next week.

The Portuguese Primeira Liga is one of the most hotly contested leagues in Europe. In Germany, Bayern Munich have reigned supreme for the last ten years. It’s a similar story in France. Barring Burak Yilmaz leading Lille to a shock success a couple of seasons ago, Paris Saint-Germain are head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. In England, Manchester City and Liverpool are well clear of the trailing pack.

But in Portugal FC Porto, Benfica and Sporting CP regularly battle it out for the title, and Artur Jorge’s Braga are not too far off the pace either. Porto are the reigning champions heading into the new season, but they haven’t retained the trophy in over ten years. They have been made the favourites to do exactly that next term by OddsChecker, which compares odds and free offers on European football.