Sporting: The Indomitus

Sporting: The Indomitus

Hello, all. Apologies for the discontinuation of my previous story and welcome to the latest story I aim to be my final, and hopefully best story this year.

I’ll evidently be managing…



SPORTING LISBON!!!

For this story I’ve decided to keep things simple and play as Marco Silva, the former Estoril manager recently appointed to succeed Leonardo Jardim, who has taken over the job at AS Monaco.

The task for me when managing Sporting is always the same. It is a huge club in Portugal who has been through less than pleasing spells in the previous years, but a club that now looks to be on the up since Bruno de Carvalho won the club’s presidency elections.

My target is to continue Sporting’s progression and aim to top Portuguese football once more. As we all know, it won’t be easy as Benfica and Porto not only have bigger names in their squad, but also more financial resources.

Much of the pride Sporting boasts over its rivals is the fact that our youth academy is arguably one of the best in the world, more notably producing the likes of Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo. The youth has been neglected in recent years, but I hope to pick it up and continue Sporting’s tradition of producing great young players, as well as signing young talent from South America, a continent I firmly believe is the future of world football.

Enjoy!

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Meet Sporting

Est. 1906

Kits

Nickname

‘Os Leoes’ – The Lions
‘Os Verde e Brancos’ – The Green and Whites

Captain

Rui Patricio

Stadium

Estadio Jose Alvalade



The 50,000 capacity stadium was one of the arenas used in Euro 2004 hosted by Portugal, yet to be blessed with a league title.

Rivals

Objectives Throughout Our Journey

1. Fight for the title – It’ll be tough to win it, but after last season’s title charge under Leonardo Jardim, we must aim to do the same at least. Doing so will hopefully enable us to qualify for the UEFA Champions’ League too.

2. Become a talent pool – We need to get back to giving youth a chance. It’ll be both beneficial to our finances and chances of growing as a club.

3. Win the cup – There are two cups up for grabs and we need to win them soon in order to create a breed of winners.

4. Win the league – We want that number 1 spot which we haven’t had since 2002.

5. European Longevity – Ideally, we want to be consistent in Europe by reaching the knockout stages in the Champions League.

6. Win the Champions League – Both Porto and Benfica have got themselves the most coveted trophy in European football and we want to join the party.

7. Become a powerhouse – Ultimately, we want to become one of the biggest clubs in Europe or the World. We are hungry for success. We don’t have the resources just yet but we will build and grow.

Sporting’s Squad 2013/2014

Goalkeepers/Guarda Redes



Rui Patricio’s evolution as a Sporting player has never been straight forward. He looked fairly dodgy when he made the break into the first team, but his maturing in between the sticks has unfortunately coincided with Sporting’s demise post 2008/2009. He’s club captain now and Portugal number one, so hopefully better days in the Sporting colours are ahead of him now.

Rui Patricio, Marcelo Boeck, Victor Golas

Defenders/Defesas



He's a bit of a nutcase, but on his day Marcos Rojo is one of the finest defenders in the league. The Argentinian international can play comfortably at centre back and left back, he’s very neat on the ball and is one of our most prized assets.

Mauricio, Geraldes, Cedric Soares, Eric Dier, Marcos Rojo, Paulo Oliveira, Jefferson

Midfielders/Medios



William Carvalho is one of Sporting’s shining lights, and one that has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs. He’s fundamental to Sporting. Ryan Gauld is a new signing from Dundee United, also known as Scotland’s ‘Mini Messi’. He’s definitely a prospect.

William Carvalho, Ricardo Esgaio, Simeon Slavchev, Ryan Gauld, Shikabala, Diogo Salomao, Adrien Silva, Andre Martins, Vitor, Joao Mario, Diego Capel, Andre Carrillo, Wilson Eduardo, Heldon, Carlos Mane

Forwards/Avançados



Fredy Montero is a very good and versatile forward, but one that lacks a bit of consistency in front of goal. Hopefully, he can show off some of his early form from last season and establish himself as a top Portuguese League striker.

Fredy Montero, Islam Slimani, Diego Rubio, Valentin Viola

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SPORTING SNUBBED

Santos playmaker Geuvanio has passed up the opportunity to join Sporting Lisbon after contract talks broke down.

Geuvanio, who has begun the season well for Santos, was set to become Sporting’s record signing after the Portuguese giants had an £11.5 million accepted.

Branded as ‘Geuvanio Ronaldo’ by the Santos faithful, the 21-year-old entered contractual negotiations with Sporting, but is believed to have rejected the deal due to the length of the contract offered.

Geuvanio was set on agreeing a £26,000 a week deal but wanted a two-year deal as opposed to the five Sporting insisted in offering.

Sporting boss Marco Silva, who had made an attacking midfielder his main priority this summer, admits that Sporting are likely to remain as they are.

”Geuvanio was a player that ticked all the boxes for us, and the £11.5 million that was set to be spent would have been a one off purchase from us, but unfortunately we couldn’t agree a deal with the player.

“I don’t think the market is quite there for us this summer, so we may have to settle for what we have at the moment. However, should the right player come about then our situation may change.”

Silva’s comments may indicate an opportunity for ex-Dundee United midfielder Ryan Gauld, who joins Sporting at the age of 17 for £3 million.

With Silva a fan of utilising a playmaker in his teams, Gauld and Egyptian international Shikabala are the only natural number tens in Sporting’s squad, with new signing Simeon Slavchev and former FC Porto academy graduate Joao Mario both capable of playing as an advanced midfielder.

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