Portuguese abroad round-up: Ronaldo off the mark for Juve, Silva shines

Cristiano Ronaldo opened his account for Juventus this weekend with a brace in Serie A against Sassualo. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva drew extended praise from Pep Guardiola for his showing in England and Pepe followed up his goal on international duty with yet another goal for Besiktas - his fifth for the Turkish outfit in 2018/19.

There was less to be pleased about for Everton boss Marco Silva, however, but on the goals front the Portuguese contingent abroad found the net in Russia, Romania, England, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Poland. The standout strike perhaps being Miguel Cardoso’s goal for Dinamo Moscow in Russia on his full debut against champions Lokomotiv Moscow.

“I was a little anxious” – Ronaldo

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that he had been slightly affected by his inability to find the net during his first three league games of the Italian season, after scoring a brace to help Juventus to a 2-1 victory over Sassualo on Sunday afternoon.

“Obviously, I was a little tense with all the talk after my move from Real Madrid and not scoring, so there were a lot of expectations, but I thank my teammates for supporting me throughout,” Ronaldo told reporters. “I knew that I was working well and it was only a matter of time. I am adapting well to Italian football.”

Elsewhere in Italy, there was a big win for Portugal veteran Bruno Alves, who started in defence as his newly-promoted Parma side won 1-0 away at Inter on Saturday. The win was Parma’s first of the season while Inter, who had João Mario an unused substitute, are languishing in 15th place in Serie A.

Guardiola gushes over Bernardo Silva

In England, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Bernardo Silva after the Portuguese midfielder played a starring role in the champions’ 3-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday. The City boss gave extended words of acclaim for the 24-year-old, citing him as an “example” for his teammates.

There was mixed news for the Portuguese trio of managers in the Premier League. While Nuno Espírito Santo (1-0 over Burnley) and José Mourinho (2-1 against Watford) recorded consecutive victories for Wolves and Manchester United respectively, former Sporting boss Marco Silva endured a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.

“They created three or four chances in the game and scored three goals,” Silva said after the match. “And we created maybe four or five clear chances and scored just one. We have to be more aggressive in our offensive third and score in the right moments.”

Pepe on the mark again; dream debut for Cardoso

Portugal defender Pepe, who recently celebrated his 100th cap for the Seleção with a goal against Croatia, registered another goal in what has been a profilic start to the domestic season with the opener as Besiktas beat Yeni Malatyaspor 2-1 on Saturday. Pepe nodded in from a corner early in the second half, with the set-piece taken by Ricardo Quaresma, who also started for the Turkish giants.

Over in Russia, there was a full debut to remember for Miguel Cardoso in Friday night’s Moscow derby. Starting his first Premier League game for Dinamo Moscow since a summer move from Tondela, the 24-year-old headed in a cross from the left after just four minutes, as his new side drew 1-1 away at Champions Lokomotiv Moscow. Manuel Fernandes and Eder both started for the hosts, who are struggling on 9 points from their opening 7 games.

Sanches yet to feature; frustration for Jardim’s Monaco

Small progress for Renato Sanches in Germany as the Portugal midfielder was named in Bayern Munich’s matchday squad for the first time this season. However, the 21-year-old, who has been talking up his prospects of an improved campaign this season, was an unused substitute as Bayern beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1.

Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco saw their winless run in France extend to four matches after a 1-1 draw at Toulouse on Saturday. Although a point away at in-form Toulouse is no disaster, Jardim was left frustrated as his side led with just over ten minutes to play, but the former Sporting coach praised his team after the match as he lamented failure to take chances.

Goals in England, Bulgaria

Portuguese footballers are spread so liberally across Europe nowadays that predicting where the weekend goal-scorers will appear is akin to playing the lottery or going to the casino, such as playing at the casino.com bonus code.

There were goals for Thiago Ilori and Marco Matias in the English Championship this weekend. Former Sporting defender Iiori scored for Reading in their much-needed 3-2 win at Preston North End, while ex Vitória Guimarães and Nacional midfielder Matias struck to help Sheffield Wednesday come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Stoke City.

In Bulgaria, CSKA Sofia lead the way at the top after eight rounds of the new season, and the club from the capital have a small Portuguese contingent. Midfielder Rúben Pinto, who came through the ranks at Benfica before playing for Paços de Ferreira and Belenenses, scored for CSKA this weekend as they beat Cherno More 3-1. Striker Jorginho and ex-Porto man Tiago Rodrigues were also involved, while Janio Bikel remained on the bench.

Morais spot-on

Veteran club stalwart Nuno Morais scored from the penalty spot to help APOEL Nicosia to a 1-0 win at Ermis on their first match of the new Cypriot season. Champions APOEL, coached by Portuguese Bruno Baltazar, are the most popular and successful side in the country, and 34-year-old former Chelsea man Morais has been with the club for eleven years.

Flávio Paixão, who scored twice last week for Lechia Gdansk, was on the mark again from the penalty spot in Poland. Unfortunately for the experienced striker, his goal to put Lechia 2-1 up at Wisla Krakow was a short-lived joy, as the hosts recovered to win 5-2. Elsewhere in Poland, former Sporting coach Sá Pinto got an important 1-0 win over Lech Poznan.

Finally, in Romania Gaz Metan started three Portuguese players as they continued an impressive start to the season with a 3-1 home win against Universitatea Craiova. Former Braga midfielder Carlos Fortes scored to get his 4th goal from 7 starts this season, while midfielder Luis Aurelio and much-travelled David Caiado also featured for the home side.

By Sean Gillen