In a week of Carlsberg Cup matches Sporting put on a display that showed they’re not only serious contenders for the Cup, but could be ready to take their first league title in seven years.
The Lions put away Paços Ferreria 5-1 as they progressed to the semi-finals with their biggest result of the season, but it was the way they produced their victory that was more impressive than the score line.
On Saturday night all eyes turned to the San Siro and the God-fearing Brazilian whose proposed transfer has dominated the headlines.
Prior to the match between Milan and Fiorentina, the Rossoneri faithful let their feelings be known as hundreds of banners were unfurled telling general manager, Adriano Galliano, in no uncertain terms that the sale of their prized asset would be an aberration.
The burning issue of the day in the football world is the transfer window and the arrival of a certain Bible Bashing Brazilian, so I thought I would chime in with my two pence worth.
A lot of people who are pro-transfer window make statements like "a free for-all on transfers wouldn't work," and that it would be "a shambles". What a load of nonsense!
So, pre-2002, football was in a state of perpetual chaos was it? No. The world still spun around and football was just fine. In fact, when talk of a window was first mooted in this country, people were incredulous.
Although widely admired domestically, not everyone would agree that Joe Cole deserves a place in the top bracket of English players. However, ask a continental observer which English player they most admire and amongst the Wayne Rooneys, John Terrys, Rio Ferdinands and Steven Gerrards, there are a surprisingly large number of Joe Coles.
In England, Cole is seen as somewhat of a luxury. Someone who can add a little bit of magic, but whose importance and effectiveness pale in comparison to that of a hard-working midfielder.
Back in 1703 some Portuguese chaps and some English chaps signed a Treaty, the Methuen Treaty it was called, to allow the import of Portugal’s finest Port to England at a low duty, all because the French were at war with the English and consequently wouldn’t let them have any wine.
Since then the English have remained partial to a drink and Portugal has continued to have its finest treasures poached by the blighters, but apparently not this month.