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2008/09 preview: Excitement mounts as big three impress in pre-season

FC Porto, Benfica and Sporting all looking strong

One week before the 2008/09 season gets underway, fans and pundits appear to be in agreement. The upcoming Liga Sagres campaign is set to be one of the most exciting competitions in years, with Portugal’s traditional trio of title candidates all looking in excellent shape.

PortuGOAL runs the rule over the big three and what we can expect from the season that officially kicks off next Saturday.

                        FC Porto      Benfica     Sporting    

FC Porto – playing to the tune of Lucho

FC Porto, as is the case year after year, look none the weaker for having seen two influential players leave the squad. Jose Bosingwa was sold to Chelsea and Paulo Assuncao walked out on the club, but judging by the way the Dragons have brushed aside all opposition in their preparation matches, including a demolition job on Lazio in yesterday’s friendly, Jesualdo Ferreira’s team are as solid as ever.

Especially impressive, much to the chagrin of Benfica supporters, has been Cristian Rodriguez, who looks every bit as potent an attacking threat as Ricardo Quaresma, but with a far superior work rate. The future of the Portugal winger is still in the balance – he is yet to feature in any pre-season friendly – but his possible exit does not constitute a worry for the Porto faithful.

Another impressive newcomer has been Brazilian striker Hulk. The powerful forward has shown the deft touches and skilful feet normally associated with players hailing from his country of birth but not usually evident in such a big man. If he adapts quickly to European football Hulk is likely to take some of the goal burden of Lisandro Lopez’s shoulders.

Key man: Lucho Gonzalez

The Argentine playmaker has been the inspiration behind FC Porto’s three consecutive Portuguese championship triumphs, with his ability to run games from the centre of midfield thanks to his magnificent vision, perfect technique and simplicity of execution.

His telepathic understanding with compatriot Lisandro Lopez destroyed many a defence last season and nullifying the duo remains the opposition’s toughest task if they are to contain Jesualdo Ferreira’s FC Porto.

Question mark: Full-backs

New full-backs Romanian Sapunaru and Argentine Benitez are yet to fully convince, while Lino, despite a complete season at the club, remains largely a bit-part solution. Following the departure of Bosingwa, Fucile, who can play on either flank, is the senior full-back, but the Uruguayan is capable of alternating the brilliant with the distinctly average.

Benfica – Quique Flores: the coach the Eagles have been looking for

After years of empty promises from club president Luis Filipe Vieira that Benfica have “their best squad in decades”, the calm and realistic yet assertive stance adopted by new Spanish coach Quique Flores could at last lead to a serious challenge from the Eagles.

The former Valencia boss, instead of falling into the temptation of his predecessors by going along with the president and promising an all-conquering team, has emphasised the simple tenets of building steadily and working hard.

Perhaps more importantly, the Spaniard has spoken of the need to change the culture/mentality of the perennial underachievers, rubbishing the idea that because Benfica are the biggest club in Portugal they have a divine right to be the best. And evolution rather than revolution is what has been seen on the pitch. After some stuttering early performances, Benfica have started to click.

Flores’s coaching style is known for placing emphasis on a watertight defence, and should he endow Benfica with a solid rearguard, the team will surely mount a lasting challenge for the title, given that the array and quality of attacking options suggest scoring will not be a problem.

Oscar Cardozo impressed in his first year in Lisbon, despite missing pre-season training. With weeks of intensive preparation behind him, the Paraguayan looks several notches above his level of last season and will be a potent spearhead at the sharp end of Benfica’s forward movement.

Ably backed up by attack-minded players of the quality of seasoned internationals Pablo Aimar and Reyes, and the bristling energy of exciting youngsters Di Maria and Urreta, Benfica have the tools to upset the meanest of defences at home and abroad.

Key man: Carlos Martins

It was a surprise to many when Quique Flores made the former Sporting midfielder one of his first targets upon being appointed Benfica coach. And Flores immediately handed Martins the role of team organiser in the middle of the pitch, even following the arrival of a seemingly natural no. 10, Pablo Aimar.

Martins will be desperate to prove his coach showed astute judgement as he looks to re-launch his career and force his way back into the Portugal set-up.

Question marks: Defensive cover

With David Luiz still recovering from long-term injury and new centre-back Sidnei yet to full adapt to his new teammates and surroundings, Flores has continued the ploy of last season in adapting defensive midfielder Katsouranis to centre-half to partner Brazilian international Luisao. If injuries strike, lack of alternatives at the heart of the defence could prove a major problem for the Eagles.

Sporting – Strength in depth

Unlike umpteen previous years, Sporting look a great deal stronger at the end of pre-season than on the last day of the previous campaign. The club has at last resisted the temptation to sell a handful of its most impressive performers and replace them with players of dubious quality, who are usually quickly pushed into the background by the latest starlets coming off the club’s unparalleled conveyor belt of young talent.

In contrast, the purchase of Leandro Grimi, Fabio Rochemback and Marco Caneira, players fully versed in the culture of the club and Paulo Bento’s methods, and more importantly the fact that the Lions have kept hold of the likes of Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho (at least until the time of writing), suggest the Lions are in good shape to make a concerted push for the title this season.

Indeed, should Sporting have an injury-free season perhaps Bento’s biggest challenge will be to keep all his players happy given the abundance of options, especially in midfield and attack.

The fierce competition for a starting berth and a strong bench surely bodes well for Bento who is fast building a reputation as one of Portugal’s best up-and-coming coaches, but who for the first time since he took command of the team almost three years ago will have to deal with the added pressure of expectation from the fans.

Key man: Joao Moutinho

The Sporting captain has endured a turbulent pre-season after openly declaring his desire to leave the Alvalade club for Premiership team Everton, subsequently being booed by supporters who had hitherto considered him the foremost symbol of the club.

The coach and directors of the Lisbon outfit have managed to convince the life and soul of the team to remain at Sporting and, surrounded by players who are likely to match his consistency and performance levels, Moutinho will look to be the maestro of a finely-tuned orchestra.

Question mark: Goalkeeper

Young Portugal international Rui Patricio accumulated practically a full season of experience last year, including Champions League appearances, despite still being a teenager when he took over from out-of-favour Vladimir Stojkovic.

What appeared a dream start to his career was blotted by several costly mistakes, with many calling from him to be dropped. However, Bento stuck with the keeper and Sporting fans will be hoping the young custodian can build on his precocious start to top-level football, given that back-up keepers Tiago and Baptista also have little first-team experience.

Your Say: How will 2008/09 pan out in Portugal?

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