Guedes after scoring against Girona (Image: Getty Images)
Real Sociedad fired manager Sergio Francisco this weekend, after Friday night’s 2-1 home defeat to Girona handed the Basque side their third consecutive La Liga defeat.
Yet amid Sociedad’s struggles, summer recruit Gonçalo Guedes has shown signs of recovering the form which made him a household name in Spanish football a few years ago with Valencia. Guedes scored the opening goal against Girona on Friday, putting his side ahead in the 35th minute having been deployed in a central position spearheading Sergio’s frontline.
Despite the team’s slump, Guedes’ strike made it three goals in his last six outings. His previous two goals were vital, putting Sociedad 2-1 up in victories over Athletic Club (3-2) and Osasuna (3-1) before the team’s drop-off. His versatility has also been on display, with Guedes regularly deployed on both the right and the left of the attack, as well as centrally.
With three goals from six games, Guedes is one of the more in-form players in front of goal across the league – a welcome boost as he looks to recover momentum in a career which has dwindled since he left Valencia for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022. Guedes struggled to make an impact in England, heading out on loans to Benfica and Villarreal before joining Sociedad in the summer for a modest fee of €4m potentially rising to €6m.
Without doubt, the best sustained football of Guedes’ career came at Valencia, where he spent five seasons following a disappointing high-profile €30m move to Paris Saint-Germain from Benfica at the age of 20. In Guedes’ last season at Valencia, he scored 13 goals in all competitions (11 in La Liga) before making the familiar journey taken by many Portuguese to Wolves.
Jon Ansetogi has taken temporary charge of Sociedad following Sergio’s departure. Former Italy international and ex-Juventus boss Thiago Motta is one of the names linked with the vacancy, along with American Pellegrino Matarazzo, who previously led Hoffenheim in Germany.
Neves is regarded as one of the world’s finest midfielders (Photo: Getty Images)
Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain sensation João Neves has been speaking to UEFA’s official media about his emergence as one of the continent’s best midfielders.
Neves, who won the Champions League last term in his first season in the French capital, is widely regarded, alongside compatriot and club teammate Vitinha, as one of the finest in his position despite his tender years.
Having only turned 21 in September, Neves has skyrocketed from making his debut with Benfica less than three years ago to placing 19th on the Ballon d’Or results earlier this year. Reflecting on his rise to stardom, Neves admits that he was not blessed with the physicality some have thought required to make his mark so early.
“Perhaps some people underestimate me because of my size and think that I’m not powerful,” he says. “But you must never forget that football IQ is most important on the pitch. When you’re not the most physical, you have to be intelligent. I can’t explain it, it’s instinctive. It’s something that has nothing to do with physique, it’s all in the head.
“It has worked in my favour! In the sense that in a challenge, my opponents thought they could easily get the better of me. And they were then surprised to see my commitment, because I give 100% every time, in each challenge, in every aspect of the game, even at a set-piece.
“I’m not necessarily the first player that opponents are going to mark, because I’m the smallest. So I took advantage of that, working on my positioning and my timing. Then it was a question of repeating that, in training and during games, I wanted to perfect that. And then it became natural, something instinctive.
“I think that football today is increasingly tactical. And I think football intelligence: the science of positioning, of timing, the ability to play the ball with one or two touches depending on the situation, have become the most important aspects of the game. Of course, stamina, strength and speed help your performance, but I don’t think they’re the most important things. That’s my vision of football. You have to be more clever, anticipate, always be one step ahead of your opponent.”
“Midfield always the best choice” - Neves
Despite his perceived physical limitations, it was always in the middle of the pitch that Neves focused on developing himself when rising through the ranks at Benfica. Now, under the guidance of PSG’s Spanish coach Luis Enrique, the Seleção man is able to expand and develop his game – even adding more goals in recent weeks.
“I never really imagined myself as a forward or defender,” he admits. “When I was little, I actually played as a striker, but as the pitch got bigger, we find out what our real strengths and qualities are. Midfield was always the best choice for me because I want to be a complete player. I want to be able to do a bit of everything. And in that sense, I think I chose the best position for me!
“At PSG, we play in a system that allows all the players to be dangerous, to make goals and score. And the stats show that. You have to take advantage of every opportunity, take risks. I think I’ve improved in that regard. It’s an aspect of my game that I wanted to improve, but I’ve never rushed it.
“This season, it’s rather positive and I have to keep going in the same vein. My dad always told me that the most difficult thing to do is not to make it, but to stay there at the top level.”
Father’s role
Neves’ mention of his father is significant. Pedro Neves served as a policeman and his approach to discipline was a major influence on his son during formative years. Now, João leads a strict life off the pitch, as he did in his youth, which he feels has been crucial in preparing him for the requirements of professional football.
“Everything [as a kid] always had to be in order, and I took that into my adult life. I don’t think I’d be where I am now if it wasn’t for that strict upbringing. I wouldn’t have the perseverance and resilience that I have.
“I remember us doing races during lockdown, during COVID, when we were training at home. The plan was to do 15 seconds walking and 15 seconds running, and my dad—without telling me anything — would make me run for 17 seconds and rest for 13 seconds. I didn’t know a thing, and thought I was doing the usual 15-15. So, that story gives you an idea of what my childhood was like.
“Away from football? I go to the café, and all that — and try to go under the radar as much as possible. An ordinary person. I know two or three people will recognise me and ask for a photo, but I believe the others will let me be. I don’t have, for instance, Vitinha’s moustache... or something in the way I move outside that makes people stare and instantly recognise me. So, maybe putting on a hat that I normally wear and like to wear is enough.”
Bruno set United on their way with the opener (Photo: Andrew Kearns, Getty Images)
Wolves 1-4 Manchester United
Manchester United moved up to 6th place in the Premier League as Bruno Fernandes struck twice in a convincing victory at beleaguered Wolverhampton Wanderers.
United arrived at Molineux in the midst of inconsistent form, but the dire nature of Wolves’ current predicament facilitated a valuable three points for Ruben Amorim’s side. As well as a brace from Fernandes, fellow Portugal international Diogo Dalot also caught the eye with an assist from left wing-back.
The atmosphere at Wolves has scarcely improved since the decision to fire the previously popular Vitor Pereira as coach in November. The hosts started the game low on confidence and with much of the home crowd absent for the first 15 minutes as supporters staged a protest against the club’s owners amid a winless campaign.
The circumstances invited United to impress and the visitors enjoyed plenty of time and space against their opponents in the early stages. Dalot should have put United ahead with their first clear sight on goal, but the former Porto man was denied by Wolves goalkeeper Sam Jonstone having been played in by the ever-alert Fernandes.
The deadlock was broken in the 25th minute, with Fernandes eventually prodding home after an initial slip following Matheus Cunha’s pass. Yet despite their seemingly positive position, old habits crept into the United ranks and some slack passages of play gave Wolves hope which was fulfilled by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s equaliser on the stroke of half time.
United emerged from the break a far more determined side and just five minutes following the re-start, Dalot’s forward run led to him squaring the ball for Bryan Mbeumo to restore their advantage. Fernandes then turned assist-maker when his cross was beautifully volleyed home by Mason Mount just after the hour to make it 3-1.
Wolves were a beaten side for the remaining half an hour, during which United threatened to rack up am embarrassing scoreline. Ultimately, Fernandes added the fourth and final goal with a well-taken penalty after Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera was cautioned for handball inside his own penalty area.
We took advantage of Wolves - Amorim
“Once again, after we scored a goal we were a little bit sloppy on the ball and that gave hope to the opponent,” Amorin admitted during his post-match press conference. “But we created a lot of chances in the first half also. We should have finished that half in a different way. Then at half time, they understood we have everything to win the game.
“The pace, the quality we showed in the second half. Understanding that the moment of Wolves is really hard as a team, as a club. And we took advantage of that.
“I think we are in the league that is hard to win every week and you can sense that by watching the table. Then this is a specific case. We faced a team that is really struggling and you can sense in every situation of the game. So the next game is going to be completely different. We need to know that.
“But in our club it doesn’t matter, the run you have or if you played quite well the last game. What matters is the way we are going to play the next one. We need to improve the way we play, I think we need to find a different way to play sometimes. We’re working on that and Bournemouth is going to be a different world.”
With the victory, United move to 6th and continue a gradual recover from the low point of September’s 2-1 loss at Brentford, which left them 14th after six matches. The Red Devils’ record since then reads P:9 W: 5 D: 3 L: 1 and European places, but Amorim admits he cannot help but dwell on recent dropped points at home to Everton (0-1) and West Ham (1-1) at Old Trafford.
“You need to distract from looking at Everton: three points that we could have. Two more points against West Ham? Look at the table [United would be 3rd and just three points off leaders Arsenal] and look [how the] environment [would be], look at everything. If you have everything there, let’s do everything.”
Braga has 7 goals in the SPL this term (Photo: Getty Images)
Celtic 1-2 Hearts
The Scottish Premiership is proving an exciting proposition this year, with surprise package Heart of Midlothian pulling three points clear at the top this weekend following victory at champions Celtic.
The Edinburgh club have been top for much of the season, but headed to Celtic Park on Saturday level on points with their opponents, who were taking to the field for the first time under new manager Wilfried Nancy. However, Hearts scored in each half to give themselves a 2-0 lead, with a late consolation by Celtic’s Kieran Tierney not enough to deny the visitors.
One of the standout performers for Hearts this season has been Portuguese signing Cláudio Braga, who was signed from Danish club Aalesund. The Vila Nova de Gaia native, who spent time at Boavista, Paços de Ferreira and Rio Ave during his youth, has proved a shrewd acquisition, adapting quickly to the Scottish football.
Braga opened the scoring against Celtic following some poor defending from the champions, which allowed the 26-year-old to convert with his left foot from inside the box. The goal was Braga’s 7th in the Scottish top-flight, which puts him joint-second in the top scorers list with 16 rounds of action played.
🗣️ “Hearts ruined Wilfried Nancy's debut as Celtic manager with victory in Glasgow to move three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Claudio Braga, who the hosts thought was offside, robbed Callum McGregor and tucked away the visitors' surprise opener. Braga was… pic.twitter.com/dsL94wwxUv
“My goal? I think it was very important,” Braga told SKY Sports after the match. “It’s a tough stadium to play in. We showed that we can be a family, that’s what we did today and we got the reward with a goal. We tried to defend as good as we could these little moments. In the recent games we have lacked a bit of luck in these types of moments, but luckily we got the goal and that was important for us to go to the second half with a different mind.
“Was I worried about VAR? I half-celebrated to be honest, but I got the goal and I’m very happy.”
Celtic remain strong favourites for the title and with good reason. It has been 40 years since neither Celtic or Glasgow rivals Rangers won the league in Scotland. The last team outside the ‘Old Firm’ to be champions were Aberdeen, playing under Sir Alex Ferguson, in the 1984-85 season.
“How difficult will it be from now on? It will be as difficult as it has been until now,” Braga said when asked about what lies ahead. “It’s a difficult position to be in, but in a good way. We just need to be happy with it because it’s a good pressure for us, keep enjoying and keep playing like a family as we do, then the results will happen.”
"All we hear is... Cláudio Braga"
Hearts fans with one of the best new chants in honour of their free-scoring Portuguese forward 🇵🇹🏴pic.twitter.com/4sNJYO8zxq
Dias’ screamer set the tone for City’s win (Photo: Getty Images)
Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland
Portugal defender Rúben Dias scored a spectacular goal from distance to set Manchester City on their way to a convincing win over Sunderland, closing the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
Dias scored his second of the season after half an hour at the Etihad Stadium, receiving the ball some thirty yards from goal and letting fly with a thunderous effort which flew into the top corner. City added further goals through Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden, but after the match manager Pep Guardiola admitted the Seleção man’s was the most important.
Asked to comment on Ryan Cherki’s brilliant rabona assist for Foden’s clincher, Guardiola replied: “It was special, but [most especially] was Ruben. The Ruben one was the most important one. The first one is always the most important one, it was really, really good.”
Matheus Nunes continued at right-back, where he is impressing in a new role, while Bernardo Silva played in a midfield three and stayed on for 82 minutes before being replaced. Of the players who played more than a few minutes, the Portuguese trio recorded the highest pass completion, with Nunes leading the way (97%) followed by Bernardo (93%) and Dias on 92% fulfilled passes.
The victory was particularly significant after league leaders Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa earlier in the day, meaning City are now just two points off the Gunners in the English top flight.
