Lothar Matthaus - Forza Milan

as much as it would be good 2 see you manage Bayern i dont think you should ever leave Sporting great work Blue as always storys looking really good

Another fabulous update! Time to prove your critics wrong, my friend!

2013-01-11 23:57#76719 The FM Rookie : Another fabulous update! Time to prove your critics wrong, my friend!

What critics?

Sporting's Youth Prospects

After having a perfect month of September, Sporting CP have let cameras into what many regard as the best youth academy in the country to have a look at the facilities and showcase some of the big young talents. This will give the fans a chance to see what the future generation of the Lisbon club looks like.

Eric Dier - DC

Sporting will have high hopes for this young English defender, who has been in their academy since 2003. He has had 2 loan spells at Everton for the last two years, and will certainly be hoping to be near or in the first team within two seasons. He has been earmarked as a future England/Portugal defender, as he is eligible for both nations. He is certainly worth keeping an eye on.

Cristian Ponde - AM (RLC)

Another young lad Sporting will have plans for is this young Portuguese midfielder, Cristian Ponde. He is entering his third season with the club, without making an appearance, although the coaching staff at Lisbon believe he will be ready to break into the first team in the next two seasons. There will be a race between Portugal and Romania to this young player, as he is allowed to play for both countries, although he is Portuguese by birth.

Hugo Meira - DC

Another youth prospect Sporting have in the pipeline, Hugo Meira is one of a few good defenders waiting for their big break. The Lisbon-born centre-back has been at the club since 2009 after signing from Belenenses. He hasn't played yet, but as he is only 16, there is still plenty of time to break into the team.

Jose Postiga - ST

As the brother of Portuguese international Helder Postiga, Sporting will certainly be hoping for big things from Jose Postiga. He is only 16, but has been capped by Portugual's U19s already, and he will hope he can go much further.

Tiago Neto - DM

The young defensive midfielder is thought of highly in Lisbon, and is certainly a good prospect for this club, and the Portuguese national team, Matthaus' reluctance to play players in his position may force the 16-year-old out of the door before his Sporting career has properly begun, and that would be a big shame.

Luka Stojanovic - MC

The young Serbian central midfielder signed from Teleoptik at the start of last season, and is currently on loan at Portimonense, but apparently he is one of Matthaus' favourite and best youth prospects. He's played seven games already this season for the second division side, scoring once and setting up three. He is expected to break into the side as early as next season, and stay there for a good few years when he does.

Tobias Figueirdo - DC

Regarded as one of the top prospects in the Sporting academy, Figueirdo is also on loan at Portimonense. He is the best of a crop of central defenders currently in the U-19 squad, and should be in the first team within two or three seasons.

Bruma - AM (R/L)

Bruma has managed to push up from the academy to the reserves already, and is regarded by many football fans in Europe as a future world-beater. Sporting fans will be delighted to have him wearing their colours as he gets better and better. Whilst he is eligible to play for Guinea-Bissau, he is also eligible to play for Portugal, and if he reaches anywhere near his potential, that will probably be the route he chooses.

Zakaria Bakkali - ST

One of the youth prospects signed by Lothar Matthaus, and one of the most well-known at the club. Many fans hope he can become brilliant, whilst the Belgian striker is hoping to pay back some of his £500k transfer fee. Apparently he has been hoping he can play for Portugal's national team if he becomes eligible.

Report Overview

So, that was a very interesting insight into the Verde-e-Brancos youth system, showing great players such as Bruma and Stojanovic, but Les Leões aren't stupid, and I'm sure they have more players up their sleeves that they refused to show us. Whether these players will make it remains to be seen, but Sporting will continue to produce players with great potential for years to come.

Some brilliant players in there, most notably Bruma who will be an AMAZING player!

Nice update m8
I especially like Bruma

Thanks guys! I wasn't going to include him, as he's in the "B" team, but he's got massive potential. He's technically Portuguese in game, but I wanted the chance to put the Guinea-Bissau flag in

Just finish catching up with this story of yours. Brilliantly written blue.. keep it up..

Matthaus: "Maldini's Attitude Is What The Players Need"

Lothar Matthaus has tried to motivate his players by telling them "you should have an attitude like Maldini".

He had this to say to his players in yet another press interview: "Maldini was a great player, and it's a shame he's retired now. He played in a great Milan team as a model professional. Not only that, but his awesome mentality during games was something I'd love to see in my players. If you had 10 players who fought as hard as he did, I think you'd win every game. He always fought, put his team before himself, and always tried to do what it took. He was a true great of the game; to spend 25 years at one club is an amazing achievement. He is one of my favourite players of all time, and one of the biggest people in football. He was a massive loss when he retired, but all good things must come to an end. So, I challenge all of you! Fight! We haven't played great this season, but start to have Maldini's mentality, and those cracks will disappear. SPORTING ALLEZ!"

Matthaus has called several press interviews in the last few days, but has become well respected in Portugal by the Sporting fans. He now has a month of games he should expect to win, and to endear himself more to the Leões fans.

Great update Blue

Matthaus’ Diary – October 2012

Sporting 5-1 Anderlecht – Europa League – 4.10.12

Sporting (4-2-3-1): Patricio, Rodriguez, Boulahrouz, Carrico, Insua, Elias, Pranjic, Carrillo, Adryan, Capel, van Wolfswinkel

Subs Used: Kara for Carrico (73), Xandao for Pranjic (79), Soares for Boulahrouz (84)

Goals: Capel (3), Wasilewski OG (17), Adryan (20), van Wolfswinkel (35), Carrillo (88); Suarez (40)

MOTM: Capel (Sporting)

Sporting 2-1 Maritimo – Liga ZON Sagres - 7.10.2012

Sporting (4-4-2): Patricio, Soares, Boulahrouz, Carrico, Insua, Rodriguez, Elias, Labyad, Pranjic, van Wolfswinkel, Rubio

Subs Used: Kara for Rodriguez (10)

Goals: van Wolswinkel (34), Pranjic (pen 50); Fidelis (2)

MOTM: van Wolswinkel (Sporting)

Taça de Portugal 3rd Round Draw

Sporting have been drawn away to Torres Novas, who aren’t in a league competition in the 3rd round of the Taça de Portugal. We’ll play them on the 21st of October. We were runners-up last season, but I think we can go all the way this year.

Injury Update

Goalkeeper Marcelo Boeck has suffered a twisted knee in training and will be out for about two weeks. We should be able to cope without him, as Patricio is first choice, and Ederson can be on the bench.

Torres Novas 0-3 Sporting – Taça de Portugal R3 – 21.10.2012

Sporting (4-3-1-2): Ederson, Rodriguez, Xandao, Rojo, Insua, Martins, Kara, Labyad, Adryan, van Wolfswinkel, Rubio

Subs Used: Schaars for Kara (HT), Bakkali for Rubio (HT)

Goals: Adryan (19, 77), van Wolfswinkel (53)

MOTM: Rodriguez (Sporting)

Zilina 2-4 Sporting – Europa League – 25.10.2012

Sporting (4-3-1-2): Patricio, Rodriguez, Boulahrouz, Carrico, Insua, Labyad, Kara, Schaars, Adryan, van Wolfswinkel, Rubio

Goals: Guima (47), Le Giang (63); Kara (52), Rubio (77, 86), van Wolfswinkel (90+2)

MOTM: Rubio (Sporting)

Injury Update

Daniel Carrico has suffered a strained neck in training, and will miss 7-9 days. I have confidence in Xandao’s ability to come in and perform while Carrico is out.

Setubal 0-4 Sporting – Liga ZON Sagres – 28.10.2012

Sporting (4-3-1-2): Patricio, Rodriguez, Boulahrouz, Xandao, Insua, Labyad, Kara, Schaars, Adryan, van Wolfswinkel, Rubio

Goals: Boulahrouz (19), Schaars (26), Kara (54), Rubio (82)

MOTM: Insua (Sporting)

Monthly Review

Another perfect month, although we had to switch tactics again, which isn’t ideal. Since we’ve started playing this 4-3-1-2, we’ve been playing really well, scoring 11 goals in 3 away matches. Next month we have 5 fixtures, which I think all are winnable.

League Table

I'm second behind Porto on goal difference though, and 6 points clear of Benfica in third.

Hey blue great story!!! i would like to download your tactics if you don't mind please... BTW keep up the good work with your youngsters

Wow, Adryan looks to score for fun!

October league table added. Sorry for the delay guys

2013-01-17 09:11#77589 OlympiakosFC : Hey blue great story!!! i would like to download your tactics if you don't mind please... BTW keep up the good work with your youngsters

Thanks mate!

Ask RandydeB for his 4-3-1-2, which I'm using at the moment. Here is my 4-1-2-1-2, although someone else might have given it to me: 4-1-2-1-2 Sporting. Ask the FM Rookie for his 4-2-3-1, which is my 3rd choice tactic.

PaukerJ:

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Wow, Adryan looks to score for fun!

He wasn't great before this month, but he's starting to play really well, and is thriving in the new tactic.