Portuguese Football in English
When Portuguese Bruno Lage took control of runaway Brazilian leaders Botafogo this summer, the former Benfica boss was fully aware there were some unenviable aspects to the position.
Botafogo surprised many by storming clear at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro during the opening third of the season, but after manager Luis Casto departed for Al Nassr in July, it was his countryman Lage who was chosen to continue an unexpected title charge.
Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches says he hopes his injury problems are behind him, after scoring on his full debut for Roma on Sunday evening against Empoli.
Sanches scored with a header inside the first ten minutes, as coach José Mourinho carefully managed his introduction by limiting his outing to 45 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma 7-0 Empoli
Renato Sanches is off the mark at Roma after scoring in a sensational 7-0 victory for José Mourinho’s side over Empoli in Serie A on Sunday evening.
On what was his first start for the Giallorossi since a summer move from Paris Saint-Germain, Renato headed in the second before being substituted at half time by Mourinho, who later insisted he was not totally satisfied with the performance.
João Félix admitted that he was delighted to be back in form after a sparkling display in Barcelona’s 5-0 win over Real Betis in La Liga.
Making his first start for Los Cules, Félix scored the opening goal and caused constant problems for the Betis backline, while João Cancelo added the 5th late on with a fine individual effort.
The Polish Football Association have confirmed the departure of Fernando Santos as national team manager with immediate effect, following a poor run of results in European Championship qualification.
Santos’ last match in charge of Poland on Sunday ended in a 2-0 defeat to Albania, leaving them 4th in their Euro 2024 qualifying group. A meeting on Tuesday in Warsaw did not yield an immediate decision, but PZPN president Cezary Kulesza announced the news on Wednesday afternoon.
