It has been a brilliant start to European club competitions for Portugal’s representatives in the UEFA club competitions.

So much so that the five Primeira Liga clubs together have accumulated more coefficient ranking points that any other nation in 2024/25.

Tom Kundert looks ahead to this week’s fixtures where there is every chance Portugal’s clubs can continue their positive start in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. 

We were still in August and Benfica decided to axe Roger Schmidt following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Moreirense. Instead of bringing in a new face in the German’s stead, the Lisbon club turned to former manager Bruno Lage.

Lage steered Benfica to the title in 2018/19, and the hope is he can guide them to their 39th Portuguese championship this term, and he’s made a good start.

Benfica have won their first 5 games under Lage in all competitions, scoring 18 goals in the process. 

It was a happy evening for Portugal-based foreign players in the latest round of international matches on Monday night.

Sporting and Benfica forwards Viktor Gyökeres and Kerem Aktürkoglu continued their sensational recent form for their club sides by each bagging a goal and an assist in victories for Sweden and Turkey respectively.

Meanwhile Mozambique continued their strong showing in Africa Cup of Nations qualification with Sporting’s Geny Catamo on the scoresheet. 

Portuguese football was never one for the aesthetics. Kits rarely get too far away from classic templates and the commercial irrelevance of the professional leagues makes it easier for brands to simply dispatch the simpler models they have in hand.

Supporters aren’t too demanding either, as they are usually seen sitting on the stands wearing the same kit year after year, making the attractiveness of a vibrant shirt market dilute into a dullness that usually repeats itself season after season. Until now it seems.