Liga Portugal 2023/2024

[SportingCP96]

The season is set to kick off August 9th with SL Benfica vs FC Porto for the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira so figured I will get the ball rolling with the league thread.


SPORTING CP: Sporting head into the new season on the back of a disappointing 2022/2023 season where they missed out on Champions league football. Sporting have lost only one key player (So far) in Manuel Ugarte (PSG) and young striker Youssef Chermiti is set to join Everton as well. One of the key reasons for Sporting's inconsistent season last year came down to one thing...missed chances in front of goal as well as a lack of presence in the box. Well Sporting have gone out to rectify that this season, by paying a club record fee for striker Viktor Gyokeres (Has looked exciting in pre season). Additionally Sporting are looking to strengthen the midfield and their are talks they are close to signing 24 year old defensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand from Lecce. Furthermore Sporting will potentially look to purchase a RWB as they have yet to properly replace Pedro Porro. Young academy player Geny Catamo has looked promising in that right wing back position in pre season and he could end up being an option if Sporting are unable to find someone in the transfer market. Overall Sporting have been able to keep many of their key/star players and unless any other big changes happen they look to have a good squad that is capable of competing this season.

SL Benfica: The defending champions will be looking to repeat this season and have made that very clear with some big summer acquisitions. Benfica are looking to have another solid Champions League campaign and have added real quality with names like Angel Di Maria, Orkun Kokcu, and Jurasek who was signed to replace Grimaldo who departed for Bayer. Benfica have managed to keep all of their major players so far (I am talking about you Goncalo Ramos). Additionally it looks as though Goncalo Guedes will be black at Benfica for another loan deal. On paper Benfica have the strongest squad in the league and are heavy favorited to win the league title once again.

FC Porto: Porto have lost Mateus Uribe (Free Transfer) however they have added Nico Gonzalez from FC Barcelona as well as Fran Navarro who was a breakout player for Gil Vicente last season. Porto are most likely going to lose either Mehdi Taremi our Diogo Costa as they desperately need to balance the books. Their are rumors of them possibly signing CDM Varela from Boca Juniors but the negotiations seem difficult. On paper Porto easily have the worst squad out of the big three however you can never count out Sergio Conceicao from making Lemons into Lemonade with limited resources. Young players Goncalo Borges and Romario Baro may get a chance to finally break into the first team.

SC Braga: Braga have qualified for the preliminary Champions league round as they to make it into the Champions league for the third time in their history an first since the 2012/2013 season. Champions league qualification could be huge for the clubs growth and attempted approximation to the "Big Three". Braga are making a statement so far by making some marquee signings for the club with names such as Bruma, Jose Fonte and Rodrigo Zalazar all joining the club. Their are also talks of former Manchester City wonder kid Rony Lopes joining the club to replace the departed Iuri Medeiros. After nearly losing Ricardo Horta (Clubs all time scorer) to Benfica last season he now looks fully committed to Braga which is great news for the club. I fully expect Braga to make some additional signings especially if they can secure qualification until the group stages of the Champions league. In my opinion I think their team on paper is as good as FC Porto's team. The clubs ambition is clear as stated by both Jose Fonte and the head coach, Braga want to win the title.

SEASON PREDICTIONS: Benfica should be able to comfortably retain the title barring an unexpected collapse or a surprising emergence from one of the other clubs. The most interesting position to focus on this season will be as to who finishes second, since starting this season only the top two clubs qualify for the Champions league. Sporting, Porto and Braga will all be fighting for that position

STANDOUT/STAR PLAYERS/YOUNG TALENT: (This section will contain who are in my opinion the most sought after players in our league/standout players and or young talent to keep an eye on). All young prospects will have a star next to their names (21 and under).
Pedro Goncalves (Sporting)
Marcus Edwards (Sporting)
Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting)
Goncalo Inacio (Sporting)
Angel Di Maria (Benfica)
Goncalo Ramos (Benfica)
Orkun Kokcu (Benfica)
David Neres (Benfica)
Rafa (Benfica)
Mehdi Taremi (Porto)
Diogo Costa (Porto)
Otávio (Porto)
Ricardo Horta (SC Braga)
*Ousmane Diomande (Sporting)
* Afonso Moreira (Sporting)
*Joao Neves (Benfica)
*Antonio Silva (Benfica)
*Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica)
* Ivan Jaime (Famalicao)


Welcome back to all the regular followers of the league and good luck to everyones favorite team for the new season!

 

[Camara]

I don't think we have a worse squad than Sporting but atm I'm not looking for this season with a positive mind, we still have many big problems in our squad that aren't being addressed (*cough* full backs *cough*) and the new players we got aren't exciting me to shift us up a gear. I think it will be a gruesome, long and negative season for us, even if we will still manage to be competitive.
Honestly I think we need to get past Conceição, he has done great things with the tools he has been given but he isn't also creating something for the future. The main problem here is our incompetent board but I don't trust him to fully exploit our best young players, he has shown many times he doesn't care much about them even when it is clear they are much better than the alternatives (look how long Vitinha and Fábio Vieira had to wait until he started to use them regularly even when it was obvious they were leagues above the starters).

 

[SportingCP96]

I don't think we have a worse squad than Sporting but atm I'm not looking for this season with a positive mind, we still have many big problems in our squad that aren't being addressed (*cough* full backs *cough*) and the new players we got aren't exciting me to shift us up a gear. I think it will be a gruesome, long and negative season for us, even if we will still manage to be competitive.
Honestly I think we need to get past Conceição, he has done great things with the tools he has been given but he isn't also creating something for the future. The main problem here is our incompetent board but I don't trust him to fully exploit our best young players, he has shown many times he doesn't care much about them even when it is clear they are much better than the alternatives (look how long Vitinha and Fábio Vieira had to wait until he started to use them regularly even when it was obvious they were leagues above the starters).

In terms of squad comparisons who from Porto do you think would start in Sporting’s team? The only name I can think of is Diogo Costa. Pepe of course is still solid but we have many good options at CB and he is over 40. Maybe Otavio? Those are the only two options in my opinion.

As for Conceição, he is the only reason Porto have continued to be competitive despite the constant mistakes of a past it Pinto Da Costa who has offered no hope. Every year Porto lose their best players for free transfers or cheap prices. They barely invest the money in quality and Conceição has to revert to players like Zaidu Cardoso, and former Loaned players like Galeno and now Romario Baro. In the past guys like Marega who are below average became key players at Porto because of Conceição. Just look at what the board did selling Chico Conceição for only 5M.

As for youth he has played many youth players but the key think for him is that they have to have a full compromise in attack and defense for 90 minutes or they will not start. Once Fabio Vieira and Vitinha understood that they never left the lineup. Of course he also gave Diogo Costa the starting position over veteran Marchanon as well.

To be honest I think getting rid of Conceição would be the worst thing Porto can do as I’m not sure another coach would deal with the ineptness that he has had to deal with. He has pushed normal teams to higher levels and made Porto competitive despite many squad deficiencies. Your starting backline last couple of years has had guys like zaidu, manafa, and Cardoso…..that’s incredibly bad.

It’s still difficult to say who will finish second because I refuse to count Porto out but they most likely will still sell Taremi or Costa.

 

[maniak]

What's this? Real football is in Liga 3! Briooooooosa!

 

[SportingCP96]

What's this? Real football is in Liga 3! Briooooooosa!

Belenenses also back in Liga 2!

Hopefully they get promoted and we get that historical club back where they belong.

Good luck to académica though and hopefully them and Setúbal can make it back one day !

 

[Camara]

In terms of squad comparisons who from Porto do you think would start in Sporting’s team? The only name I can think of is Diogo Costa. Pepe of course is still solid but we have many good options at CB and he is over 40. Maybe Otavio? Those are the only two options in my opinion.

IMHO Pepe (when he is fit so like 3 times a year ), Diogo Costa, Otávio, Pepê and Taremi, these are clear for me.
One or more of these will probably leave but that will be a different analysis when they do

 

[SportingCP96]

Braga just signed Rony Lopes from Sevilla on a 3 year deal for only 500K. That is some fantastic piece of business !

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

@SportingCP96

Any thoughts on Andrew at Gil Vicente? Haven't watched him regularly but looks a pretty decent GK talent, especially aged 22.

 

[SportingCP96]

@SportingCP96

Any thoughts on Andrew at Gil Vicente? Haven't watched him regularly but looks a pretty decent GK talent, especially aged 22.

If it was up to me he would be the back up goal keeper for Adan this season. I think he’s talented and was one of the standout goal keepers in the league last season!

 

[SportingCP96]

PSG have an offer of 65M for Ramos which could reach up to 80M.

If this deal happens I’m about 85% sure Benfica will immediately go all in to bring back Joao Felix to the club.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

If it was up to me he would be the back up goal keeper for Adan this season. I think he’s talented and was one of the standout goal keepers in the league last season!

Glad to have that validation! I thought he was excellent whenever I watched him but wouldn't make any firm conclusions given how infrequently that was.

Feels like at his age he needs minutes though; perhaps a longer-term deal with him going back on loan would make sense for you.

 

[SportingCP96]

Glad to have that validation! I thought he was excellent whenever I watched him but wouldn't make any firm conclusions given how infrequently that was.

Feels like at his age he needs minutes though; perhaps a longer-term deal with him going back on loan would make sense for you.

To be honest after last season I would rather if Adan was the back up Keeper and we bought a starter but Amorim has too much faith in Adan so I don’t see it happening.

Andrew will get a move soon though, especially if he has another solid season and he’s still going especially for a keepers “life Span”.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

To be honest after last season I would rather if Adan was the back up Keeper and we bought a starter but Amorim has too much faith in Adan so I don’t see it happening.

Andrew will get a move soon though, especially if he has another solid season and he’s still going especially for a keepers “life Span”.

So many of the saves he made when 3-1 or 2-0 down and the opposition had great counterattacking opportunities were amazing - it's what initially drew my eye actually. In looking at the numbers and watching a bit more closely he looks like a proper modern keeper - still remains to be seen if it was a fluke though!

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Can’t see past Benfica this season.

 

[SportingCP96]

After Vitoria SC embarrassing elimination from the conference league along with the creation of the conference league I feel as though Portugal is on an incredible downward trajectory because only 4 clubs compete for anything and the rest of the teams in the league are very poor.

I think it’s essential for the Portuguese league to do a format change to the league. 18 teams is far too much and even 16 teams I think is pointless.

We should look at a 12 team league with the top 6 teams going into a mini group to decide the champions ship and Europe while the bottom half fight for relegation.

This will create a far more competitive league and the matches will have much higher stakes.

 

[maniak]

After Vitoria SC embarrassing elimination from the conference league along with the creation of the conference league I feel as though Portugal is on an incredible downward trajectory because only 4 clubs compete for anything and the rest of the teams in the league are very poor.

I think it’s essential for the Portuguese league to do a format change to the league. 18 teams is far too much and even 16 teams I think is pointless.

We should look at a 12 team league with the top 6 teams going into a mini group to decide the champions ship and Europe while the bottom half fight for relegation.

This will create a far more competitive league and the matches will have much higher stakes.

What creates competitiveness is money, if the big 3 stop hoarding all the tv cash, maybe other clubs can build competitive teams. How can a league evolve if 3 clubs get 75% of the money?

 

[SportingCP96]

What creates competitiveness is money, if the big 3 stop hoarding all the tv cash, maybe other clubs can build competitive teams. How can a league evolve if 3 clubs get 75% of the money?

I may be naive but is it still 75%? Is our league not structured in a similar molde to that of the Dutch ? I could be mistaken that’s why I’m asking.

 

[maniak]

I may be naive but is it still 75%? Is our league not structured in a similar molde to that of the Dutch ? I could be mistaken that’s why I’m asking.

Google points me to articles saying the league expects it to be implemented this season, but the articles are a couple of months old and I haven't heard any news about this, so I assume it didn't go forward, otherwise it would've made the summer news.

 

[maniak]

And I'm not optimistic, just last month Rui Costa said this:

“Sobre a centralização, ainda não dados. O único que há, e o presidente da Liga conhece a nossa posição, e apesar da Lei ser governamental, é que o Benfica não irá cumprir lei nenhuma se se sentir prejudicado”, referiu o Presidente encarnado.

I think the big 3 will fight to the end to make sure we'll never have a fair distribution of money, it's the big fish in small pond mentality.

 

[SportingCP96]

Arthur Cabral replaces Goncalo Ramos at Benfica:


Morten Hjulmand :

 

[André Dominguez]

I don't think we have a worse squad than Sporting but atm I'm not looking for this season with a positive mind, we still have many big problems in our squad that aren't being addressed (*cough* full backs *cough*) and the new players we got aren't exciting me to shift us up a gear. I think it will be a gruesome, long and negative season for us, even if we will still manage to be competitive.
Honestly I think we need to get past Conceição, he has done great things with the tools he has been given but he isn't also creating something for the future. The main problem here is our incompetent board but I don't trust him to fully exploit our best young players, he has shown many times he doesn't care much about them even when it is clear they are much better than the alternatives (look how long Vitinha and Fábio Vieira had to wait until he started to use them regularly even when it was obvious they were leagues above the starters).

Alan Varela is a great business though. Fantastic midfielder.

 

[maniak]

Why the feck does liga 3 start on a tuesday at 6pm? These feckers go on and on about the fans and then we get this...

 

[André Dominguez]

Why the feck does liga 3 start on a tuesday at 6pm? These feckers go on and on about the fans and then we get this...

Beats me. I also wanted to see Briosa live, but no luck. As we've seen last season, Liga 3 is quite balanced, the difference between demotion and promotion group can be thin most of the times.

 

[maniak]

Beats me. I also wanted to see Briosa live, but no luck. As we've seen last season, Liga 3 is quite balanced, the difference between demotion and promotion group can be thin most of the times.

Looking at the teams, I have no idea who will be fighting for promotion and who will finish in the last spots.

 

[André Dominguez]

Looking at the teams, I have no idea who will be fighting for promotion and who will finish in the last spots.

Liga 3 is a mistery because teams are very balanced. If budget was the main asset, Alverca would be the clear favourite on our series.

 

[André Dominguez]

Académica made a decente game, had more initiative but failed to create chances, só the draw is a fair result.

 

[maniak]

Académica made a decente game, had more initiative but failed to create chances, só the draw is a fair result.

Sadly I couldn't watch it, better than last year?

 

[André Dominguez]

Sadly I couldn't watch it, better than last year?

The team shows fighting spirit at least. They tried to press high and keep possession. You can watch some of the game on youtube live streaming this year. Canal 11 transmit some games there this season.

 

[SportingCP96]

Porto VS Benfica today

With Benfica losing Ramos Porto have a nice chance to win.

What are your guys opinions ?

 

[André Dominguez]

Super cup is mostly a pre-season end cup IMHO, I wouldn't read too much into it. It will be a balanced game, from what I saw during pre-season both teams are more or less playing in similar ways as last season and have similar flaws as last season (Benfica can still be vulnerable in case Porto manages to break the line of pressure and Porto with the usual defending plan from having the habit of siting a midfielder a bit deeper so the fullbacks can defend a bit higher up the pitch, which on one hand provides a better control of the pitch width, but in the other hand if the other team manages to get the ball in a central position when the defense is still "stretched" the central defenders get exposed on 1on1 situations).

 

[SportingCP96]

Super cup is mostly a pre-season end cup IMHO, I wouldn't read too much into it. It will be a balanced game, from what I saw during pre-season both teams are more or less playing in similar ways as last season and have similar flaws as last season (Benfica can still be vulnerable in case Porto manages to break the line of pressure and Porto with the usual defending plan from having the habit of siting a midfielder a bit deeper so the fullbacks can defend a bit higher up the pitch, which on one hand provides a better control of the pitch width, but in the other hand if the other team manages to get the ball in a central position when the defense is still "stretched" the central defenders get exposed on 1on1 situations).

To me it’s the Curtis opener for the new season. It’s an official cop and any official Cup for a new season holds relevance to me.

May the best team win !

 

[maniak]

To me it’s the Curtis opener for the new season. It’s an official cop and any official Cup for a new season holds relevance to me.

May the best team win !

If the folks from the community shield thread read this, they'll be coming for you...

 

[SportingCP96]

If the folks from the community shield thread read this, they'll be coming for you...

Its a weird thought process to have. Same folk who think the Europa League is a Micky mouse comp.

Any club will want tp win and official trophy it is apart of.

 

[SportingCP96]

Porto being Porto, they run like rabid dogs all around the pitch and Benfica have difficulties dealing with it.

Can see this being a 1-0 game or decided in penalties. Benfica are really missing Ramos!

 

[maurinho]

Porto has been playing some beautiful stuff lately, and I used to hate Conceicao’s style.

Unfortunately a lot of fart and no poop, just like in the last Champions League campaign

 

[Sly]

Diogo Costa is so overrated. Another blunder in a high profile match. He had already dropped the ball in a cross in the first half.

 

[maniak]

Conceição is such a muppet

 

[André Dominguez]

Musa physical power was too much for two veteran center backs to handle and that was the main change at second half, despite Diogo Costa was at fault at both goals though.

 

[André Dominguez]

Diogo Costa is so overrated. Another blunder in a high profile match. He had already dropped the ball in a cross in the first half.

Have responsibilities in both goals. In the first goal he completely missed a shot that was not that powerful and at the second goal he was completely out of position: suffering a goal with a sloppy shot like that at the first post is forbidden for any goalkeeper.

 

[Sly]

Have responsibilities in both goals. In the first goal he completely missed a shot that was not that powerful and at the second goal he was completely out of position: suffering a goal with a sloppy shot like that at the first post is forbidden for any goalkeeper.

We're stuck with this clown in our NT for the foreseeable future. He's just Rui Patrício mk2 all over again. Patrício wasn't that great of a keeper for us either but at least he had the game of his life when it mattered in the Euro 2016 against France.