In the position of defensive midfield the choice should be Miguel Veloso. The player had problems with the coach last season, even asked to leave, but it seems that everything is resolved. And under normal conditions will be the 1st choice for this position.

As alternative we have Fábio Rochemback, the Brazilian who played in Middlesbrough, and his return to Alvalade has been below what was expected of him. For this position there is also Adrien, a player who came from the youth team, and is a great hope for the future. It is a player who has had a great evolution, and has made good exibitions in friendly games. He can be an alternative to the 1^st team, and can even play in other positions of the midfield.

In inner positions in midfield we have João Moutinho, the young captain who has been much wanted by big European clubs, and the montenegrin Vukcevic who had problems with the coach last season, but now he is 100% dedicated to the club, and thus is naturally 1^st choice o the team.

As alternative we have Izmailov, the russian who was operated this week and should only return to compete in early November, and Bruno Pereirinha, another player from the youth team, which is already in the squad for 2 seasons which had a large development.

As offensive midfielder we have Matias Fernandez, the Chilean in whom the fans lace great confidence and expected to give magic to the game of the team. In this position may also play Joao Moutinho, Simon Vukcevic and the forward Yannick Djalo.

In attack there is only one question: Who will be the partner of Liedson?

The Brazilian, the most quoted player in this team, best scorer of the team since 2003/04, is the undisputed holder of the 1^st team.

By his side can play Caicedo – new signing, announced yesterday – Yannick Djalo, who also came from the youth team and is in the squad since 2006/07, or Hélder Postiga, who goes to the 2nd season in Sporting after being transferred from rival FC Porto.

Then there is Carlos Saleiro, another from the youth team, which has its 1st chance in squad, but has passed the pre-season between the medical department and gymnasium center with injuries.

In friendly matches Helder Postiga have been the choice to be the partner of Liedson, who came to make some good goals and has made good exhibitions. But with the arrival of Caicedo, wanted by Sporting since some weeks ago, the choice should fall into the Ecuadorian, ex-man city.

In the defense the doubts remain on both sides with Abel and Pedro Silva to fight on the right side, and Caneira, Grimi and André Marques on the left side. On the right side, Pedro Silva takes some advantage over Abel. The brazilian is far more technicist, and more offensive than Abel. On the left side the choice should fall on Caneira given its aggression to defend. But I believe that when Grimi back to 100% fit (he has been injured since March) will be the owner of the left side of defense, because in the system used by the manager, it is necessary to have an offensive side, which plays almost like Winger and Caneira is no player for it. André Marques, who came from the youth side, and as been on loan in the last 2 seasons, will play only to gain experience and to prove he deserves to be in the squad. It’s not expected to be a first choice.

In the central defense Daniel Carriço, another one from the youth team, who was on loan for 1 season, continue to assume themself as the boss of the defense, like the 2^nd half of last season. Tonel and Polga fight for the other place on central defense. The world champion with Brazil, Polga, takes advantage over the Portuguese, Tonel. But Polga has fallen in the last few months, and as we saw in the recent friendly games, Tonel still have a chance to be the chosen. In this position, Caneira can also play from time to time due to the management of the squad during the season.

]]> http://lisbon.footballblog.co.uk/sporting-lisbon-0910-keeper-and-defense.html/feed 2 http://lisbon.footballblog.co.uk/sporting-lisbon-introduction.html http://lisbon.footballblog.co.uk/sporting-lisbon-introduction.html#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:30:04 +0000 joaoscp http://lisbon.footballblog.co.uk/?p=9 In my first text I’ll have a brief introduction on my club, Sporting Clube de Portugal, known as Sporting Lisbon.

Having stayed in 2nd place in the last 4 years, and with a team based on players who came from the youth team, and always with the same coach, the objectives this year can be only the title. In a league where only 3 clubs play for the title – together with FC Porto and Benfica, Sporting Lisbon fans began to demand more and better. And the young coach, Paulo Bento, which also came from the youth team (former coach of the U19 team) starts to have little room to maneuver.

This year the club invested only in  Matias Fernandez, a typical south-american offensive midfielder, which after 2 seasons at Villareal of Spain, that did not achieved the expected, attempt to relaunch his career in Europe, now in the Portuguese league.

From the regular team of last season, only Derlei, the brazilian forward aged 34, have lefted the Club, while the other exits were only reserve players.

In the next post I will do an analysis to the team and players. The squad is almost closed, and next week there will be a game against Twente, at home, for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.

Hope you like to read my texts. I also hope you understand that my English is not used very often. So if you see some spelling error, please let me know, so I can improve.

João

Sporting are also in the Supertaça final versus FC Porto. It is on August 16 at 20h45 in Estadio Algarve.

It’s currently the middle of the transfer window, we’ve made a few signings…

In:

-Helder Postiga-Porto (ick)-2.5 mil

-Fabio Rochemback-Middlesbrough-Free

-Marco Caneira-Valencia-4.5 mil

-Marat Izmailov-Lokomotiv-1.5 mil

-Leandro Grimi-Milan-3.5 mil

Out:

Carlos Paredes-Olimpia Asuncion-Free

I’m really excited about the new season because of these signings, and I cant wait to get started!!!

This is my blog about Sporting Club de Portugal… OS LEOES!!!!!