GO PORTO!!!!!

Despite losing some key players this season like Quaresma to Inter, and Paulo Assunsao to Atletico Madrid, Porto has managed to field another strong team while impressing in the Champions League. Having already qualified to the knockout stage after a win away to Fenerbache (which couldnt be easy considering the atmosphere in Turkey), they sit in second place to Arsenal.

Having won the competition in 2004, and winning the Portuguese Liga for the past 3 seasons, its odd that Porto is not considered to be amongst the favorites to win the competition.

In the off-season, Porto brought in Brazilian striker, Hulk to add goal scoring support to the incredibly affective Argentinian International Lisandro Lopez, who is a goal scoring machine. In the midfield, Lucho Gonzalez is as good as any midfielder in the world, and has proven he can dominate a game even against the greatest of opposition. Alongside Lucho is Portuguese International Raul Meireles is no stranger to the Champions league or scoring goals, and anchors the midfield for Porto. On defense, Alves leads a strong defense that includes portuguese defenders Rolando and Emmanuel. Rounding off the back Four is talented Uruguyan Fucile and brazillian goalkeeper Helton.

That looks to me like a strong team, what do you think?

Good News and Bad News For Sporting Lisbon In The Champions League

Match day 5 of the Uefa Champions League came with good news and bad news for Sporting Lisbon of the Portuguese Liga. The good news, Sporting had already advanced to the knockout stage in second place of their group with 9 points. The bad news, Sporting LOST to Barcelona, 5-2 in a match that technically saw more goals by Benfica if you count the own goals by Polga and Carneira, and penalty kick. Hell, Sporting would have lost 3-2 if you only counted the goals scored by Sporting, or goals that came as a result of stupid mistakes.

Yes it is great news that Sporting Lisbon has qualified for the knockout stage, but did they have to play that badly against a team like Barcelona? I strongly believe that Sporting has a team, that on any given day can beat any team in the Champions League, including Barcelona. They had an opportunity to show the world through pedigree, but failed miserably. Sporting HAS to step it up against major competition, especially in the first knockout phase.

Scoreline aside, I strongly believe Sporting can contend for the Uefa Champions League title (perhaps more so than Porto)! They have Liedson upfront, a capable striker and proven goal scorer. Upfront supprt to Liedson can come from Djalo, the veteran Derlei and Helder Postiga, the Portuguese International who has fallen incredibly short of his potential but god help the team that plays Sporting if he all of a sudden gets into form.

The midfield for Sporting has got to be as good as anyone's with youngsters, and highly saught after Portugese Internationals, Joao Moutinho and Miguel Veloso.

There weakest link may be the defense, with really only Carneira and Polga to boast about, however they both had own goals as well against Barcelona. Their goalie, Portugese International Rui Patricio who I belive is a solid goalie and a future international superstar.

Come on Sporting, show us what you can do!! We are rooting for you in the Knockout stage! Lets see that potential.