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| Tuesday, 24 April 2012 09:11 |
PortuGOAL Podcast 46: FC Porto and Real Madrid on verge of domestic glorySporting’s Europa League dream | Portuguese football controversies The latest podcast looks at FC Porto’s excellent prospects of lifting the Liga Zon Sagres title. The panel also discusses Sporting’s transformation under Sa Pinto and the Lions’ chances of progressing to the final of the Europa League. We then wallow in the superb performances of the three Portuguese members of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid team in the memorable victory at the Camp Nou. The podcast ends by looking at two depressingly repetitive problems afflicting Portuguese football which have again reared their ugly heads: chronic financial strife and suspicions of corruption.
Part One:
Porto are handily placed to win their 8th championship title in the last ten seasons. But will Vitor Pereira remain in the Estadio do Dragao hot seat even if they do?
Part Two:
Another coach whose future has been brought into question is Benfica’s Jorge Jesus. Will he ride out the criticism and stay at the helm of the Eagles? Lisbon neighbours Sporting have been a transformed team since appointing Ricardo Sa Pinto in February. What has the new man in the dugout done, and can he lead Sporting to the final of the Europa League?
Part Three:
A superb team performance against arch rivals Barcelona by Real Madrid pushed Jose Mourinho’s men to the verge of clinching the La Liga title. We salute the considerable contribution made by the three Portuguese members of the Spanish giants.
Part Four:
Moving back to the domestic front, Portuguese football has been hit by two unsavoury controversies in recent weeks. Players at both Vitoria Guimaraes and Uniao Leiria have threatened to go on strike after going months without receiving their wages. Meanwhile, Sporting vice president Paulo Pereira Cristovao is at the centre of a corruption scandal involving the alleged payment made to a linesman on the eve of the Portuguese Cup match against Maritimo. We discuss the implications and the likely (lack of) action taken to tackle the problems by the football authorities.
To listen to the podcast click on the play button above. To download right-click on the link below and select “save link as” option. (Duration: 36m 31s)
We would be delighted to hear your feedback about the podcast. Please leave your comments using the form below. |
Mdot, I agree with the fan league perception.
My uncle, a huge Tripeiro fan, went ahead and told me Porto locked up the title after beating Benfica.
I happened to agree, but we had different reasons. I thought that 4 points were too much. He, a Porto fan, said that PdC wouldn't let happen with such few games left. That's coming from a Porto fan.
I've always stated how I understand why the "big clubs" in all of the leagues get the calls/breaks. It's economics and and what's best for the league. But outright Cheating should be abolished and the highest of punishments dealt out.
This brings us back to the point of the league having no need for expansion. It's ridiculous, since the right thing to do might just be cutting back the size of the league.
Points taken. We'll try and improve the sound quality and have less frightening PortuGoooooooooooooollo breaks next time.
For Benfica, while I agree JJ is stubborn, it is very clear he did change this season by rotating the team. The main problem was the lack of real options for our fullbacks. It could be said that we didn’t really have any LB’s this year since Cap wasn’t even used and when ever Maxi was injured, carded, or tired, we had no options on the right. Defensively that is where we failed the most. I do agree that Nico was likely given more playing time given the amount of clubs that kept coming to our matches to scout him. I just hope to see more of Nolito and left to think of what this season could have looked like if he was given more playing time.
As for Sporting, I wish them luck for the EL, it would be great to have another Portuguese winner in Europe. As for the bribing issues, it just continues to make a joke of our liga and kill any potential of us ever seriously growing. I agree part of the reason clubs struggle is that we are a poorer liga but another main reason fans don’t attend many games outside of the big clubs is because most people think it’s rigged and there’s no point in supporting the home town club. That alone under cuts the mid-table/lower table clubs the worst.
Going to watch the Real game, here's hoping our Portuguese guys deliver that much needed win.
One bit of feedback, can you please make the Gooooooolloooo bit the same volume? It always frightens my kids!