Sporting Lisbon News

[SiN]

This is the thread for all relevant news and updates for Sporting Lisbon :)

[SiN]

Sporting Lisbona have extended of three years the contract of Sporting Lisbona. The goalie, during this season, has played on loan with Vitoria Setubal.

[O Maestro 10]

http://www.geocities.com/porto97.geo/bullet4.gif Sporting president: Moutinho going nowhere (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=561015&sec=europe&cc=5901)
(http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=561015&sec=europe&cc=5901)

[O Maestro 10]

Sporting Lisbon president Filipe Soares Franco insists midfielder Joao Moutinho will not be leaving the club this summer.

Everton target Moutinho publicly pleaded to be allowed to move to Goodison Park after Sporting turned down a £12.5million bid from the Merseysiders.

Reports suggest that Everton have made a second offer for the highly-rated 21-year-old, but Soares Franco insists Moutinho is staying at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

'I can guarantee one thing, he told Portuguese sports daily Record,

'Joao Moutinho was made at Sporting, he has all the affection of the entire club, we all like Joao Moutinho and want him to stay at the Alvalade.

'The file on Joao Moutinho is closed.'

Moutinho received a frosty reception when he turned out for his side's friendly against PSV Eindhoven.

However, Soares Franco remained diplomatic over the fans' reaction to the Portugal international.

'Each Sporting member has the right to judge the attitude and declarations of Moutinho how they like,' he added.

[O Maestro 10]

Training for the " Super Taca"
http://www.record.pt/imgs/IMAGENS_110555.jpg

[O Maestro 10]

Sporting – Strength in depth

http://www.portugoal.net/images/sporting/Rochemback.jpg 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.

[O Maestro 10]

Benfica's Di Maria has helped lead Argentina to the Olympic quarterfinal round, following a 2-0 victory earlier today against Serbia (with Sporting C.P. goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic). Argentina, which feature Messi and Riquelme, play Saturday against EURO U-21 champions Holland, which feature Roy Makaay and Ryan Babel...

[O Maestro 10]

http://infordesporto.sapo.pt/Imagens/214586.jpg
Polga signs until 2010

[O Maestro 10]

Paulo Bento said that Stojavic is staying.

[O Maestro 10]

http://infordesporto.sapo.pt/Imagens/218660.jpg
Bento is confident without Vukcevic.