Portuguese Football in English
One year ago, many in Portugal were saying Jorge Jesus had overtaken Jose Mourinho as the best Portuguese manager.
Jesus had won everything at Benfica, sensationally and acrimoniously walked out for fierce Lisbon rivals Sporting, and subsequently led the Lions to a flying start to the season.
Now, following a third defeat in four games for Sporting, few would dare to utter such a notion.
Fresh from last week’s derby joy at home to rivals Sporting, Benfica were tasked with succeeding in another meeting between Lisbon clubs, as Estoril hosted the Liga NOS title holders on Saturday night. By a minute margin, all Rui Vitória’s men needed was a 1-0 victory, supplemented by Raúl Jiménez’s spot-kick, to safeguard top spot throughout Christmas.
Sporting welcomed Sporting de Braga to the Estádio José Alvalade in a bid to bounce back from their ‘Clássico’ woe, but the Lions’ again sunk to defeat, as Wilson Eduardo captured all three points for the visitors’ in a 1-0 win which pushed the Arsenalistas up to 3rd place in the Liga NOS table.
A day later, FC Porto were made to fight for their triumph after going a goal down to a ‘manager-less’ Chaves, turning the game on its head in the second period to run out 2-1 winners in front of their home support. Here’s how the action unfolded at the top.
Benfica 2-1 Sporting
A typically full-blooded Lisbon derby, played at high pace, not always of the highest quality, and seasoned with a generous dose of controversy, was won by Benfica this evening to keep the Portuguese champions clear at the top of the table.
The home team went into the interval leading thanks to a brilliant breakaway goal by Salvio, with Sporting complaining that two penalties should have been awarded to them, the first of which was at the origin of the Benfica goal.
Benfica doubled their lead early in the second half through Jiménez, but Sporting came roaring back, with Bas Dost heading into the net in the 69th minute, and only some fine saves by Ederson prevented the visitors from taking a share of the points. Benfica are top of the standings, increasing the gap to four points ahead of the second-placed team, which is now Porto, with Sporting a further point behind.
Time for the second in PortuGOAL’s series of in-depth analyses of some of Portugal’s less well-known top flight teams.
Today we turn the spotlight on Vitória Guimarães, arguably the team with the most fervent fans anywhere in Portugal.
The northerners are enjoying a fine season to date. Tiago Estêvão looks at the reasons why and the possibility of it continuing.
Pedro Martins has consolidated his status as one of the best managers in the Portuguese League over the last few years – the ex-Sporting player has led Marítimo and Rio Ave to the Europa League and was brought to Vitória with the objective of bringing European football to what many believe are the best set of fans in the country, yet again.
Huge week ahead for Portugal’s Big Three – Champions League permutationsJust a fortnight after being beaten 6-0 by the same opponent, Marítimo caused an upset by becoming the first team to defeat Benfica in the Liga NOS this season, winning 2-1 in Funchal on Friday night.
Sporting saw off Vitória Setúbal 2-0 at Alvalade on Saturday to move to within two points of their city rivals, one week before the Lisbon derby.
Porto ended a goal drought that had lasted over 8 hours as a last-gasp winner from young substitute striker Rui Pedro gave the Dragons victory over Braga.
