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I won some friendlies this year, so that's good.
New strategy for the year, I'm taking the Arsenal approach to the two cup competitions (Taca da Liga and Taco do Portugal). I'll be playing the youngsters until the late rounds, if we make it that far. If not, no big deal, the prize money in these competitions is an insult.
Fixtures
LIGA Aug 20 Gil Vicente 0 Sporting 3
Solid away win to start the year.
LIGA Aug 27 Sporting 0 Braga 0
In previous seasons I would be happy with the point against a strong team, but this season I'm disappointed with the dropped points at home.
LIGA Sep 3 Beira Mar 0 Sporting 3
Another solid away win, 3 games without conceding.
LIGA Sep 15 Sporting 1 Porto 1
This game was different than other games v. Porto, Sporting took the game to them and we had the better chances, Porto was lucky to escape with a point. This year will be different!
UCL Sep 20 Atletico Madrid 1 Sporting 2
First ever Champions League group stage game, we went to Madrid and bossed the game.
LIGA Sep 24 Setubal 1 Sporting 1
After the two tough games I decided to rest some of my stars in order to keep everyone fresh. It was a mistake as the squad I put out there had a stinker. Here's where things got weird.
I thought it was a joke at first. I checked the table just to be sure.
Yep, just what I thought. One loss, 2pts out of 2nd place. Every team in the league has lost except for Benfica. We just went to Spain and beat a top team in Europe. I took a team with only one player above the age of 26 and qualified for the Champions League. We just lost our first league game in 14 and I'm getting called on to the carpet to "discuss my job"??
I'm so over this board. They've been itching to fire me since I took the job. I went in there with the intention of speaking my mind. I had just signed an extension so if they wanted to fire me they'd have to pay.
So, that wasn't so bad. I called their bluff and they backed down. They can't fire the manager of the Portuguese National Team. Especially one who is as vindictive as me. I would never select another Sporting or former Sporting player again if they fired me. I would have got another job in Portugal and continued the save and stuck it to Sporting.
LIGA Sep 30 Sporting 3 Estoril 1
Back to winning ways.
UCL Oct 3 Sporting 1 Bayern 2
We didn't play defensive or back down, we took the game right to them.
We should have played more defensive.
LIGA Oct 8 Maritimo 0 Sporting 0
At this point, a draw at Maritimo is considered a good result. What is the world coming to?
Taca (Portugal) Oct 21 Sporting 5 Marinhense 1
They really shouldn't draw lower league teams away to Liga teams, it's cruel. I don't even want to be in the Cup this year but I couldn't field a poor enough team to lose.
UCL Oct 24 Sporting 3 Anderlecht 1
The goal is to win both games back to back against Anderlecht, and if Bayern take care of business against Atletico we should have qualification wrapped up with two games to go in the group.
LIGA Oct 29 Sporting 2 Aves 0
Clean sheets are becoming the norm. I've been playing Gasparotto even though he's already signed to go back to Brazil in January, after this game I switched to Wendel, who has taken the mantle from Henriques as "the Next One" in goal.
LIGA Nov 5 Benfica 1 Sporting 1
With Benfica flying, this is a good result. Benfica's goal came from a penalty. A strong draw for Sporting.
UCL Nov 8 Anderlecht 0 Sporting 1
Job done in the group. Sporting qualify for the knockout stage with still two games remaining. This is important for the rest.
Taca (Portugal) Nov 11 Leiria 1 Sporting 0
Eliminated from the Taca, I'm almost grateful. The extra games were really hurting my squad and it took me four years to realize it. The irony is that I'm finally getting the depth I need to compete in all competitions but I no longer want to.
LIGA Nov 25 Sporting 3 Guimaraes 0
The wins aren't as close as they used to be and that means the youngsters are coming into their own.
UCL Nov 28 Sporting 1 Atletico 2
Didn't matter, it was a nothing game and I used the opportunity to reward some B team players.
LIGA Dec 3 Sporting 4 Arouca 1
LIGA Dec 6 Rio Ave 1 Sporting 1
LIGA Dec 10 Belenenses 0 Sporting 2
Took 7 of 9 points in a clogged first week of December.
UCL Dec 13 Bayern 3 Sporting 0
Another nothing game
LIGA Dec 17 Sporting 4 Academica 1
I hate these guys, I pray that they get relegated. doesn't look like they will, not this year.
LIGA Dec 23 Sporting 1 Nacional 0
Taca (Liga) Dec 31 Sporting 2 Academica 1
Another sweet win against them.
January 1st Another whack of Brazilians join the team, some 4.5 star players in the bunch. According to the transfer history, this years signings cost us 15 million euros, and I'm pretty sure that doesn't include the compensation for the "free" players
LIGA Jan 13 Sporting 2 Gil Vicente 1
LIGA Jan 17 Sporting 3 Belenenses 0
LIGA Jan 21 Sporting 0 Beira Mar 0
An otherwise good run of games is spoiled by dropping two points to Beira Mar, who have been lucky to stay up for the past two seasons.
Taca (Liga) Jan 27 Rio Ave 0 Sporting 3
I can't seem to lose in this competition, but it's the lesser of two evils. The games are over the Christmas break, three quick group games and onto the semi finals.
The table on Feb 3rd.
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PORTUGAL
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September 8th
Cyprus 1 Portugal 3
(Joao Mario, Fernando, Diogo Figueiras)
September 12th
Portugal 2 Albania 0
(Josue, Andre Martins)
Martins sassed me in a meeting. Considering he's only picked because he played for me at Sporting, he should watch his mouth. This clinched a World Cup Berth for Portugal. I would have put more detail into the international section, but it was really too easy and there wasn't much drama. I actually went on holiday for the remainder of the games, something I never do.
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