Portuguese Football in English
Manchester City’s Portugal U19 international Carlos Borges has been named the Premier League 2 Player of the Season, after helping his team retain their title.
The 19-year-old forward was in sensational form for City’s Elite Development Squad, scoring 21 goals from his 24 appearances in PL2 while also registering an impressive 11 assists. City’s youth team were crowned winners for a record third straight campaign.
Diogo Gonçalves made the decision to finally leave Benfica on a permanent transfer during the recent winter transfer window. The winger’s choice to join Danish powerhouses FC Copenhagen appears to have been a shrewd one, with Gonçalves already playing a starring role in clinching his first silverware with the club.
Copenhagen overcame AaB 1-0 on Thursday in the DBU Pokalen, winning the Danish cup for the first time since 2017. Gonçalves scored the only goal of the game to secure glory for his team, as he embarks on what he hopes will be a trophy-laden end to the campaign.
José Mourinho’s Roma have reached a European final for the second season running, after booking themselves a Europa League showdown with the competition’s perennial winners Sevilla at the end of this month.
Having won the Europa Conference League last season, the Giallorossi will now face off against the Spaniards in the Romanian capital Bucharest, with not just the trophy but a place in next term’s Champions League awarded to the winner.
Bernardo Silva enjoyed one of the greatest performances of his career on Wednesday evening, and the Portuguese midfielder admitted he was driven on to help Manchester City beat Real Madrid following his frustrations in the first leg of the Champions League semi final.
City booked their place in Istanbul for the final with a stunning performance and a 4-0 victory over the holders at the Etihad Stadium. Bernardo scored twice to put the hosts 2-0 up at half time, after which City underlined their dominance through Manuel Akanji and substitute Julian Alvarez to gain a convincing scoreline warranted by an imperious display.
The Manchester United goalkeeper position is likely to come under much scrutiny and speculation as the season draws to a close. Long-term no1 David de Gea is under the spotlight following some high-profile suspect performances, and the name of FC Porto’s Diogo Costa is one of those suggested as a possible replacement.
De Gea’s contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season and there is some uncertainty over his likelihood to extend. Reports have indicated an extension is likely, but while the deal is yet to be signed questions remain over the Spaniard’s security. In recent days, outlets close to negotiations have raised the possibility of De Gea staying at the club as no2.
