Portuguese Football in English
Ligue 1 champions Lille claimed the Trophée des Champions on Sunday night with a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, and Portuguese midfielder Xeka was the match-winner and star of the show.
Xeka scored a sensational first-half winner for Lille in what is the French version of the Super Cup, but the former Braga man looks likely to make a move before the end of the window due to ongoing financial problems at the club.
When the universally popular Portuguese Nuno Espírito Santo left Wolverhampton Wanderers after four highly successful years in May, there was little surprise when it became clear that another Luso coach would replace him at Molineux.
Bruno Lage was the man chosen, likely by club director Jorge Mendes, to succeed Nuno, but if the nationality of the new manager offers continuity within Wolves’ Portuguese project, there is a clear objective of tactical overhaul at the club under the former Benfica boss.
Rui Vitória led Spartak Moscow to their first victory of the Russian Premier League season on Friday evening - the ideal preparation ahead of a meeting with former club Benfica in the Champions League qualifiers next week.
Spartak ran out 1-0 winners at Krylya Sovetov in Samara thanks to Alexander Sobolov’s penalty, recovering from last weekend’s opening-day defeat against Rubin Kazan. With Wednesday’s Champions league qualifier first leg with Benfica in the Russian capital approaching, a first victory for Vitoria is a huge boost for the club.
Fábio Silva has been speaking to the media as Wolverhampton Wanderers continue their preparations ahead of the new season under Bruno Lage with friendlies in Andalusia, Spain.
Wolves beat Real Betis 1-0 at the weekend ahead of Monday night’s match with Las Palmas, as new coach Lage takes his side through an extensive list of pre-season matches. Should you fancy betting on Wolves and/or Fábio Silva to have a positive season, see how to open a bet365 account here. Wolves begin their Premier League campaign next month with an opener at Leicester City.
Young Portuguese coach António Oliveira has only been in charge of Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense for around three months, yet during that time Athletico have competed in four competitions and played 32 matches in a grueling fixture schedule.
Oliveira, who was on the technical staff last year, was promoted to first-team coach ahead of the 2021 campaign in what is his first leading role. At 38, the son of Benfica legend Toni has enjoyed an impressive start in Curitiba and remains on course to challenge on all fronts.
