THE BALL – On his return to Brazil, Luís Castro tries on goal (Botafogo)

Luís Castro left for Brazil on Saturday to begin his second season as Botafogo coach. Expectations are, he speculated, to do better than the previous year. «Brasileirão is a very competitive league and now, in addition to that, Cruzeiro, Vasco da Gama, Grémio and Bahia have grown, great clubs. I want to make a more … Read more

A BOLA – Águias confirms transfer to England (Benfica)

Benfica announced on Saturday that they had reached an agreement with England’s Watford for the permanent transfer of right-back João Ferreira. The 21-year-old has been linked with Benfica since the 2014/15 season but currently represents Rio Ave, on loan, having featured in 12 games. He was also loaned to V. Guimarães last season. For Benfica, … Read more

THE BALL – «You don’t need moral victories» (Vizela)

Tulipa, coach of Vizela, analyzed the defeat against Famalicão, 1-2, in the 15th round of the championship, highlighting the goal conceded just before the break. «I think the first half was balanced, but we are a team that needs to be stronger when they have the ball. We didn’t always have a quick circulation to … Read more

THE BALL – The Premier League ‘calls’ Paulo Bento (England)

The Premier League continues to sell dreams and there is no shortage of players on the pitch who wink at you. In an article published this Friday, The Athletic reports, for example, a group of highly qualified coaches to complement that framework of excellence… and there is a Portuguese among the suggestions made. After his … Read more

THE BALL – «Benfica doesn’t finish Enzo» (Benfica)

Valdo, a former Benfica player, believes, in statements to A BOLA, that the controversy surrounding Enzo Fernández will not affect the team in any way. «It is an individual situation, which will not pass to the whole team. If we analyze what he said upon his arrival, if I’m not mistaken, he said that Benfica … Read more

THE BALL – The words of Graham Potter and Roger Schmidt on Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)

At the end of the match against Manchester City (0-1 defeat), Chelsea manager Graham Potter was questioned again about Enzo Fernández and more precisely about Roger Schmidt’s words about the English club’s behavior towards the Argentine midfielder. “I don’t get involved in conversations through the press. I do not have anything to say. No comment,” … Read more

THE BALL – «In football there is no life or death, that is in Ukraine and in Russia» (THE BALL IS MINE)

Carlos Carvalhal is yet to win in the Spanish league in charge of Celta. The coach acknowledged that the situation is complicated, but rejected the idea that this Friday’s match against Elche is life or death, arguing that this doesn’t exist in football. “We are in a marathon. In a competition like this one cannot … Read more

THE BALL – Roger Schmidt talks doubt David Neres (Benfica)

The Benfica coach didn’t take for granted the return of David Neres for Friday’s match (7 pm) with Portimonense, at the Estádio da Luz, in reference to the 15th round of the championship. “It’s developing well. He made progress and returned to training, but for a short time. Only tomorrow (Friday) will we make a … Read more

A BOLA – Al-Ahly rethinks the purchase of Aziz (Rio Ave)

Yakubu Aziz has been in Cairo since Wednesday to finalize and formalize the transfer to Al-Ahly, but the deal hasn’t been finalized yet and could also know different outlines from those initially foreseen. At stake, according to local information, are doubts about the physical conditions of the Ghanaian goalkeeper, which have prompted the managers of … Read more

A BOLA – Madness in the presentation of Suárez (video) (Grémio)

Atmosphere of absolute madness at the Arena, home of Gêmio Porto Alegre, with thousands of fans present to attend the official presentation of Luis Suárez. The 35-year-old Uruguayan scorer left some ideas on the reason for his choice: ««I’ve always liked challenges. First of all, come to a club with so much history. Grêmio is … Read more