After all, Sporting came within two points of pipping Benfica to the Primeira title a year ago, winning 27 and losing just two of 34 matches, and they have strengthened with the additions of players of the calibre of Gelson, Lazar Marković, Joel Campbell, Luc Castaignos and Bas Dost over the summer. Teams have played four official matches in total with Sporting winning one (reverse leg of the aforementioned UEFA Cup First Round). And to enjoy his best season aged 32 would be in keeping with that growing sense that when he finally quits one of the most incredible things about his career will have been the longevity. All three could rest after the global games but we’ll have to wait to see if the Colombian playmaker will have an opportunity to show his class. Isco and Asensio won’t play any minute because both are out of the list, together with Mariano and Nacho.
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“He played. Xavi has won everything – World Cups and Euros, but he’s never won a Balon d’Or”. Since then, Real have reached at least the semifinals of the tournament every season. “In terms of trophies it was the best ever both for team and individual awards”, he says.
“The competition is just starting and a lot of teams want to win it”.
The match will be played at Wembley, which the visitor may appreciate due to the fact it was thrashed 4-1 in the Europa League at White Hart Lane last season.
Speaking with AS, Figo was asked about Portugal’s greatest.
“When he was 12-years-old he had the same attitude that he has now”, his first coach at Sporting, Pontes told Marca this week. Newspaper Marca reported last week that Zidane’s plan was for Ronaldo to be eased back in gradually, indicating that he would play 70 minutes against Sporting, but the coach has now said the intention is for Ronaldo to complete the game.
Former Sporting owner Pereira adds: “He always did train with the same intensity that he played”.
Ronaldo scored the victor for United against Sporting in 2007, but has never faced the Portuguese side in a Madrid jersey.
Tonight he begins another onslaught on his favourite competition. That will require Marcelo to keep the reins on livewire Portugal under-23 winger Gelson Martins, who already has two goals to his name in four appearances this season. And he needs to keep playing.
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Today’s bloated format means clubs have to play eight games to advance to the quarterfinals. After last week’s comments that’s another milestone that he would love to pass.
