Portuguese Football in English
Slovan Bratislava 2-3 AC Milan
Rafael Leão came off the bench to earn the Man of the Match award in AC Milan’s Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday evening.
With the score tied at 1-1 heading into the interval, Milan boss Paulo Fonseca opted to introduce Leão and the Portugal man continued his recent excellent form by scoring a decisive goal to put the visitors 2-1 up midway through the second half.
João Neves’ first goal at the Parc des Princes for Paris Saint-Germain was arguably the pick of the action this weekend, in a game which also saw Vitinha find the net for the French champions in a 3-0 win over Toulouse in Ligue 1.
Elsewhere, Fábio Silva continues to be a threat for Las Palmas in La Liga with another goal, while teammate Dário Essugo also notched but the Carany Island side were still beaten by Mallorca. There were also goals for Portuguese internationals Gonçalo Guedes and Rúben Semedo, not to mention a brace from history’s greatest ever goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ipswich 1-1 Manchester United
New Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim believes his players were “thinking too much” after watching them produce a disappointing display in his first game in charge at Portman Road.
United gave Amorim the dream start to life in the Premier League when Marcus Rashford put the visitors ahead after just 80 seconds, but Omari Hutchinson snatched a deserved equaliser before the break and Ipswich were well worthy of a point from an otherwise forgettable game.
Rúben Amorim held his first pre-match press conference as Manchester United manager on Friday, as he prepares for Sunday’s Premier League debut on the bench at Ipswich Town.
The Portuguese boss has been at work for almost two weeks at Carrington, arriving the day after signing off as Sporting boss with victory over Braga. Speaking extensively to the British journalists for the first time, Amorim was confident and relaxed when dealing with a variety of subjects.
There was a sense of weariness among sections of the Manchester United fanbase when Erik ten Hag was sacked last month, the Dutchman the latest manager to start brightly at Old Trafford only to depart amid the usual chaos and wretched results.
Just days later Rúben Amorim was secured as replacement, with the outgoing Sporting man’s charisma and striking positivity already lifting the spirits at a club which has become used to trying and failing to emerge from its long-term slumber.
Portugal’s latest managerial export leaves with some fearful about his decision to accept the poisoned chalice of the United dugout, but most hopeful that the 39-year-old is the right man to once again make the Theatre of Dreams a place of pride and excellence. We state the case for Amorim being the right man at the right time for United.
