Portuguese Football in English
Vítor Pereira flew to São Paulo on Friday afternoon after becoming the latest Portuguese coach to take a high-profile job in South America with Brazilian giants Corinthians.
Pereira joins Abel Ferreira (Palmeiras) and Paulo Sousa (Flamengo) to make a trio of Luso coaches guiding some of the very biggest clubs in Brazil. Speaking to journalists as he departed Portugal, Pereira discussed his reasons for choosing Corinthians as his latest step in a varied career coaching abroad.
As the world watches the developments in Ukraine with great concern, for the only Portuguese footballer playing in the country the last couple of days have been an unexpected and terrifying ordeal.
Nélson Monte, formerly of Rio Ave, arrived in Ukraine to play for SC Dnipro-1 last summer, under the impression that the political turmoil in the country was unlikely to intensify into a threat to his own safety. When Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a full-scale military invasion on their neighbours on Wednesday, things changed quickly.
Few managers in football are capable of dividing opinion so much as Jose Mourinho, although few other managers can also boast such a consistent record of achievements. In every country where the iconic Portuguese coach has worked, leagues have been won and trophies have been lifted.
Upon celebrating his 59th birthday in January 2022, Mourinho is one of the most successful active managers in world football, having guided the top-flight clubs he led to 25 titles to date. The only active coach with more trophies is current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiona, who also turned 51 this January, with the Spaniard having amassed 31 titles during his career.
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Manchester United
Manchester United struck late on to earn a scarcely-deserved draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16, denying Man of the Match João Félix a first-leg winner on what felt a coming of age showing from the Portuguese.
Félix gave a mature and measured performance, during which he scored Atletico’s goal with a superb header, but substitute Anthony Elanga equalised ten minutes from time for a stuttering United side containing Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
João Félix scored his first goal of 2022 on Saturday and provided a wonderful assist for Luis Suarez, as Atletico Madrid secured a much-needed victory at Osasuna. Los Rojiblancos face Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday and having struggled in La Liga in recent months a win was an important confidence boost.
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanderers continue to impress in the English Premier League and a wholly positive Sunday afternoon saw Pedro Neto make his return, as Rúben Neves and Daniel Podence scored to beat Leicester City. Bruno Fernandes also found the net on Sunday in Manchester United’s victory at Leeds United.
