Portuguese Football in English
Granada 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid slumped to a fourth straight defeat in La Liga last night, despite a glowing performance from reinstated Portuguese forward João Félix.
The former Benfica prodigy had not started for Atletico since their Champions League meeting with Liverpool on 3rd November, since when he has been reduced to a substitute’s role. The situation has led to the strongest sense yet that Félix could leave the Spanish capital in the next two transfer windows.
Levante 3-4 Valencia
Portugal international Gonçalo Guedes put on a Man of the Match display as Valencia came from two goals down to claim victory at local rivals Levante in La Liga.
Guedes also registered an assist at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia to help Los Ches to their third straight league victory. For Guedes, six goals and six assists in the Spanish top flight as he appears set for the best season of his career so far.
Another high-profile Portuguese manager is back on the market after Turkish giants Fenerbahce fired Vítor Pereira less than six months into his tenure in Istanbul.
Pereira leaves with the team in 5th place in the Super Lig, having suffered a decline in results following a good start to the domestic campaign. Fenerbahce are currently a considerable 14 points behind leaders Trabzonspor, with just two victories in their last nine outings in Turkey’s top flight.
Newcastle United 0-4 Manchester City
João Cancelo is increasingly confirming his status as one of the best players in the English Premier League, as he marked his 100th appearance for Manchester City with a superb goal in their 4-0 victory at Newcastle United.
Cancelo, who had a fine campaign as City won the title last year, has continued to develop in recent months and is now seen by many in England as the outstanding full-back in the league this season. A fine Sunday afternoon’s work for City also saw Rúben Dias on the scoresheet, with the irrepressible Cancelo the provider for his countryman.
Rui Vitória’s tenure at Spartak Moscow is over, with the Portuguese coach paying the price for a disastrous first half of the season in the Russian Premier League.
Vitória’s side caused a surprise in continental competition by winning their Europa League group at the expense of heavy favourites Napoli and Leicester City, but domestic struggles have proved the downfall for the former Benfica boss despite him retaining the backing of sections of the Spartak fanbase.
