Portugal Football: Benfica Wins, Sporting Coach Pressure
Benfica fight back in Açores as Sporting coach faces decisive night Benfica came from behind to beat Santa Clara in Ponta Delgada on Monday, with Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni providing the assist for Vangelis Pavlidis's equaliser before scoring the winner himself in a 2-1 victory. The result in the Azores keeps the Lisbon club five points behind league leaders FC Porto and marked the first defeat of the season for the home side.
According to the sports press, head coach Marco Silva told his players at half-time that they were below standard. Santa Clara had taken the lead in the first half.
Prestianni, who has now recorded10 goals and 6 assists in 16 appearancesacross all competitions this season, orchestrated the turnaround after the break. The 20-year-old set up Pavlidis to draw level, then struck the68th-minute winner.
Reports quote the player saying he feels "looser and happier" in his current form. Pressure mounts on Rui Borges ahead of Taça da Liga clash Sporting CP head coach Rui Borges faces what the Portuguese sports press describes as a "deadline" when his side meet Marítimo in the Taça da Liga quarter-finals today.
The coach has come under intense scrutiny following a run of just two wins in six matches, including ** defeats to Académico de Viseu and LASK Linz** in the past week. Supporters have displayed white handkerchiefs at Alvalade, and club president Frederico Varandas attended a training session - an unusual move interpreted as an attempt to calm the situation.
Rui Borges has stated publicly he will not resign and promised changes to his starting lineup, including opportunities for youth players. Reports say a defeat today could end his tenure, with Abel Ferreira and Leonardo Jardim mentioned as potential successors, though neither would be available until December.
The president has defended his coach by referencing last season's historic Champions League campaign, while noting that his appointment was a "cheap choice." FC Porto set pace with perfect start FC Porto remains the only club in Europe's top 10 leagues with a100% winning recordin domestic competition after nine matches. The unbeaten streak represents the club's best start since the 1939-40 season.
Porto leads the Primeira Liga standings, maintaining a five-point cushion over Benfica. No Portuguese club has ever completed a full league season without defeat.
Ronaldo included in Portugal pre-squad Cristiano Ronaldo features on Jorge Jesus's preliminary list for Portugal's November fixtures, ahead of the final squad announcement expected around 5 November.