Portuguese Football in English
Sérgio Conceição was this afternoon presented as the new coach of FC Porto. The former Portugal winger signed a two-year contract after extricating himself from a contract renewal he had signed at Nantes just weeks ago.
He replaces Nuno Espírito Santo, who left at the end of the season after failing to end the club’s 4-year trophy drought.
“It’s with enormous joy and love for the club that I’ve come here,” said Conceição. “I’m sure in May I’ll be happy, and Porto supporters too.”
In a ceremony last week, Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira received an honour from the Lisbon borough where he was born, São Domingos de Benfica, which is also the home of the club he has presided over for 15 years.
An emotional Vieira had to interrupt his acceptance speech several times as he wept when remembering his parents. Amid the headlines focusing on his tears, a significant statement got lost in the mix. “Benfica’s leaders realise running this club is a question of cycles. We will now discuss whether we will continue to invest, or whether we will drastically reduce the liabilities. I’m not talking about completely wiping off the debt [reported to be upward of €400m] but paying off a considerable amount of it.”
This would seem to be laying the ground for more big-money sales. With goalkeeper Ederson already rumoured to be on his way out the club, Benfica have no shortage of monied suitors for other talented players in their squad. PortuGOAL lists six enticing transfer targets from the 2016/17 double winners.
Benfica 2-1 Vitória de Guimarães
Two goals in quick succession shortly after half time by Raul Jiménez and Salvio saw Benfica beat Vitória de Guimarães 2-1 to lift the Portuguese Cup and complete the double in 2016/17.
After a fiercely fought and even first 45 minutes, Benfica put in a strong second-half performance that proved too much for Vitória, despite Zungu pulling a goal back and a valiant effort by the northerners.
The 2016/17 season is set for an exciting final act on Sunday afternoon as Benfica and Vitória de Guimarães go head-to-head in the Portuguese Cup final at the Jamor national stadium.
It’s a repeat of the 2013 final, when the northerners stunned the Eagles by winning 2-1 under the astute managerial guidance of none other than the current Benfica coach, Rui Vitória. Benfica go into the game strong favourites having beaten Vitória three times this season, including the 5-0 thrashing just two weeks ago in the title-clinching match at the Estádio da Luz.
But if Benfica show any complacency as they attempt to complete the double, they will surely be punished. Under Pedro Martins, Vitória have played some wonderful football this season, finished fourth in the table and equalled their best ever points total.
There is no question that the Portuguese league has become the preferred destination for many young footballers looking to develop their as yet unrealized potential, before moving onto a bigger stage.
Many of today’s global superstars such as James Rodriguez, David Luiz and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo got a solid grounding in the Primeira Liga.
Less well known, however, is that outside Portugal’s Big Three some of the more modest clubs often have gems in their ranks, who later go on to find fame and fortune abroad – strikers Diego Costa (Braga) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Campomaiorense) being two prime examples.
PortuGOAL looks at ten players from Portugal’s feeder clubs who impressed this season and could become a great bargain buy for attentive foreign clubs this summer.
