My first month in league management should be considered a success really, the loss against Benfica should rather be forgotten, instead, the satisfying 4-1 crushing of Sporting Lisbon proves how good I am.
Benfica 5-2 Olhanense
Bad game to say the least, we conceded two penalties and 3 goals from set pieces. The team are practicing more of that currently to prevent such defeats. 18 year old Diego Goncalves scored on his debut following an incredible Per Kroldrup pass that would make Ian Holloway happy. Willian Pereira, signed from the depths of lower league Brazillian football, also scored on his debut following an excellent diagonal pass from Jander. There are positives, for sure.
Olhanense 1-0 Belenenses
This was a cagey game to say the least, both sets of goalkeepers were doing extremely good, but something had to give in the end. Both sets of teams had their chances, but Portugal legend Ricardo got the better of Belenenses's English goalkeeper named "Matt Jones". Ribeiro got the winning goal on the 76th minute, after pinging the post twice, I moved him to the left in the expense of Urreta and it was a particularly good tactical decision. Ribeiro simply dribbled his way past the Belenenses back-line and smashed in the winning goal
Sporting 1-4 Olhanense
A match to remember, not only were we heavy underdogs, it was played away, in front of TVs all across Europe, we defeated Sporting Lisbon by quite a heavy margin. Manager Jardim was left in all sorts of speechlessness, he stormed out immediately following the match in utter disgust. Ricardo did excellent in goal, although it has to be said that the strike trio of Capel-Slimani-Carillo was a bad tactical decision in itself.
Potential wonderkid Tibor Cica opened the scoring with a spectacular volley in the 28th minute. Zakaria Labyad the turned things around with a powerful shot from 21 meters. Olhanense were not to be done, however, Diego Goncalves once again turned things around and knocked in a near post free kick from Celestino. Rui Duarte connected well with a Ribeiro cross and scored Olha's 3rd goal of the game. We then added another goal in injury time, a corner scramble found the feet of Ribeiro who walked the ball in the goal while loud boos commenced from the stands of Estadio Jose Alvalade.
A small set back though, captain Rui Duarte had to exit with broken ribs after a collision with Sporting's Evaldo, ruling him out for a month.
Player of the Month
Joao Ribeiro:
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His direct running has run defenses ragged, scoring 2 goals, 1 assist and a player of the match performance against Sporting CP. He made me sorry for not playing him in the match against Benfica.
New signings
Jeremie Roumegous:
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This previously unknown player comes on loan from the depths of 4th division French football, although he's doing much better than Ricardo Ferreira and Vitor Bastos's poor showing against Benfica. I hope I can sign this player by the end of season, as Kroldrup is most definitely not going to sign again. I can thank Pauleta for finding this gem of a player!
