Lothar Matthaus - Forza Milan

Love the cheap little dig at Benfica there.

2013-01-19 08:11#77918 No7Lukeee : Love the cheap little dig at Benfica there.

Had to

Matthaus: "We Want Destro"

Sporting manager Lothar Matthaus has expressed his desire to try and sign Mattia Destro from Genoa in the January transfer window. Genoa have recently transfer listed the 21-year-old Italian, and his contact run out at the of the season. Sporting, amongst other clubs, are reportedly showing an interest, although Lisbon are the only club to have officially declared it.

When talking about the possible transfer, Matthaus had this to say "he's obviously a fantastic player, and he would fit our team and style of play perfectly. So far this season, we haven't exactly been free-scoring, and if we got Destro I think alongside Ricky, we'd run away with the league. Of course, we could buy him in January, and we'd get him cheap, or we could approach him to sign at the end of the season. I'd prefer to get him on a free, and Rubio or one of our targets would more than be able to cope this season, and then Destro would come in next year."

Matthaus has apparently been trailing Destro for a couple of months, and will now be delighted that he is on the transfer list.

I hope you get Destro, he would be a great player for Sporting

hope you can get destro, if you can get him however have a look at manolo gabbiadini might be a very nice option and isn't that old yet

Destro is a brilliant player and would be an amazing addition to your squad.

Destro would be an excellent signing for you to help bolster your attacking potential. A great story Manc, keep it up!

All I can say is that Destro will pay off the wages. DESTRO!

Liking the positive comments about Destro!

He has 4.5* PA according to two of my good scouts, so I'm surprised he's transfer listed, but I'll take it. My worry is that I might not be able to afford his wages, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

December update hopefully on the way later.

A Fan's Letter

Dear Mr. Matthaus,

I am the president of the Sporting CP fan club and we are delighted with what you have accomplished thus far. I know that sometimes you feel frustrated with the players, with the officials and even the board of our club. However, you need to stay strong. Perfection takes time. We know that it is hard to battle for trophies with the likes of Porto and Benefica around. We aren't asking you to be an instant success, that isn't what we want.

We want Sporting CP to become one of the best clubs in the world. We know that this will take time. What we want you to do is fight this season out and when it is done, you can begin your re-modelling of the club. Then you can bring in the players that you want and implement the tactics which you want to base these players around. We know it will take time to get it right but we will be behind you all the time.

We don't ask to play the "tiki-taka" style of Barcelona or Liverpool's "pass-and-move" style of the 1980's. We want Sporting to play like Sporting. What does Sporting play like? We play like what you want us to play like. This is your team, you tactics, your era. If you can get through this season without any disasters, you have many years to build your empire. I hope that this letter has encouraged you and I am looking forward to your tenure as manager of our club.

Thank you,
Or Dabool, Sporting CP Fan Club President.

I'd like to sign the supportive letter Nick! SPORTING ALLAVEZ!!

Nice letter Nick! Not thinking of quitting anymore

Matthaus’ Diary – December 2012

Sporting 5-0 Limianos – TdP R5 – 3.12.2012

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

Subs Used: Labyad for Elias (79), Jeffren for Capel (79), Izmailov for Carrillo (79)

Goals: Elias (17), Adryan (27, 49), van Wolfswinkel (40), Capel (68)

MOTM: Adryan (Sporting)

Anderlecht 1-2 Sporting – Europa League – 6.12.2012

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

Subs Used: Izmailov for Labyad (50)

Injuries: Labyad (groin strain, 2-3 weeks)

Goals: Suarez (pen 10); Elias (39), Izmailov (pen 90+4)

MOTM: Carrillo (Sporting)

Rio Ave 0-6 Sporting – Liga ZON Sagres – 9.12.2012

Sporting (4-3-1-2): Patricio, Soares, Xandao, Boulahrouz, Rojo, Kara, Elias, Schaars, Pranjic, van Wolfswinkel, Rubio

Subs Used: Rodriguez for Soares (64), Izmailov for Elias (64), Carrillo for van Wolfswinkel (73)

Goals: van Wolfswinkel (4, 23, 58), Rubio (31, 44, 67)

MOTM: Rubio (Sporting)

Moreirense 0-3 Sporting – Liga ZON Sagres – 16.12.2012

Sporting (4-6-0): Patricio, Rodriguez, Boulahrouz, Carrico, Insua, Kara, Elias, Schaars, Carrillo, Adryan, Capel

Goals: Boulahrouz (6), Carrico (38), Carrillo (51)

MOTM: Carrillo (Sporting)

Europa League Knockout Round Draws

We will play sc Heerenveen in the first knockout round of the Europa League. The first leg will be in Holland, and I think we should go through comfortably over the two legs.

If we get though the first round, we will play either LOSC Lille or FC Basel in the second round. This will be slightly tougher, although I think we stand a good chance of going through.

Taça da Liga Third Phase Draw

We have been drawn against Olhanense, Beira-Mar, and Atletico CP in the third phase of the League Cup. We should easily go through this group, and win all games in the process.

The Atletico CP match will be played on 30th December 2012, away from home. The Beira-Mar match will be played on the 2nd January 2013, at home. The Olhanense match will be played on the 8th January 2013, also at home.

Atletico CP 0-5 Sporting – TdL R3 – 30.12.2012

Sporting (4-6-0): Patricio, Rodriguez, Boulahrouz, Carrico, Insua, Elias, Pranjic, Schaars, Carrillo, Adryan, Capel

Goals: Schaars (7, 29), Pranjic (10), Carrico (14), Carrillo (26)

MOTM: Schaars (Sporting)

Monthly Review

We had another absolutely brilliant month, won all five of our games, including a fantastic 2-1 away win against Anderlecht. We started using a new tactic for the last two games of the month, and it’s worked like a charm. It doesn’t use any strikers, yet we’ve scored eight in two games. Our first league game of 2013 is against Porto, and we can go five points clear with a win against them.

League Table

Still top by two points, ahead of Benfica by 10 too. We play Porto at the start of January, and we'll look to stretch our lead to 5 points with a win.

A brilliant set of results, Ben. I hope that tactic works like a charm!

2013-01-20 01:56#78088 The FM Rookie : A brilliant set of results, Ben. I hope that tactic works like a charm!

Well I did make it after all