THE BALL – Sérgio Conceição analyzes defeat and releases: «So they don’t massacre me in Portugal…» (FC Porto)

THE BALL – Sérgio Conceição analyzes defeat and releases: «So they don’t massacre me in Portugal…» (FC Porto)

Statements by Sérgio Conceição, coach of FC Porto, after the defeat by Inter, in Milan (0-1), in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League. «It was a very competitive game, with two teams at the level of a round of 16 of the Champions League. The players fulfilled the plan … Read more

THE BALL – Enzo Fernández’s guarantee on Benfica (Chelsea)

THE BALL – Enzo Fernández’s guarantee on Benfica (Chelsea)

He left Benfica in January, for 121 million euros, just six months after joining River Plate. At Chelsea, Enzo Fernández guarantees that he will be forever grateful to the red club. «[O Benfica] Changed my life. I will always feel grateful to Benfica. It opened the doors of Europe for me. I feel very grateful … Read more

THE BALL – The reason for Draxler’s absence in the match against Boavista (Benfica)

THE BALL – The reason for Draxler’s absence in the match against Boavista (Benfica)

Julian Draxler injured his left ankle and that is why he is no longer on the squad for last Monday’s game against Boavista (3-1), at Estádio da Luz, for the Championship. Although the exact severity of the injury is still unknown, it is certain that the German striker will also miss at least next Saturday’s … Read more

THE BALL – Flamengo, by Vítor Pereira, loses the first leg of the South American Super Cup (video) (CONMEBOL)

THE BALL – Flamengo, by Vítor Pereira, loses the first leg of the South American Super Cup (video) (CONMEBOL)

Flamengo, coached by Vítor Pereira, was defeated in Quito, Ecuador by 0-1, by Independiente del Valle, in the first leg of the South American Super Cup (Recopa). The only goal of the game was scored by central Carabajal (on his birthday!), at 75′, in a match played at 2850 meters of altitude and in which … Read more

THE BALL – «It is difficult to accept what happened» (Liverpool)

THE BALL – «It is difficult to accept what happened» (Liverpool)

After the heavy defeat, by 2-5, at home, against Real Madrid, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League, Jordan Henderson, captain of Liverpool, was obviously disappointed with the outcome of the match. ′′ It’s hard to sum up what happened right after a game. I feel that for most … Read more

THE BALL – Sporting ‘turns’ Mafra and regains 2nd place (Revelation Cup)

THE BALL – Sporting ‘turns’ Mafra and regains 2nd place (Revelation Cup)

It was with a turnaround in the second half that Sporting overcame the home defeat a week ago, against Gil Vicente, with a triumph over Mafra (3-1), also at their Academy, in Alcochete. The confrontation between Sporting and Mafra reserved the dispute for one of the two places of access to the Revelation Cup: the … Read more

A BOLA – Poll: Should João Mário continue to score penalties at Benfica? (THE BALL)

A BOLA – Poll: Should João Mário continue to score penalties at Benfica?  (THE BALL)

Following the interactivity that we intend to implement with the readers of the different platforms of the A BOLA universe, we launch you a new challenge. In addition to the Correio do Leitor section, which we publish daily on the pages of the hard copy edition and in which you can continue to participate by … Read more

THE BALL – «Lukaku will score three goals against FC Porto, just like I did» (Inter Milan)

THE BALL – «Lukaku will score three goals against FC Porto, just like I did» (Inter Milan)

March 15, 2005. Just like now, Inter and FC Porto met in the round of 16 of the Champions League. After a 1-1 draw at Dragão, the Nerazzurri eliminated the then team coached by José Couceiro with a 3-1 victory. Three goals from Brazilian Adriano, known as Emperor. «I remember those round of 16 of … Read more

THE BALL – Do you know how much was spent on transfers this season around the world? The record was not beaten… (Football )

THE BALL – Do you know how much was spent on transfers this season around the world?  The record was not beaten… (Football )

Professional clubs around the world paid 9.12 billion euros in player transfers this season, which is the second highest amount ever, according to the Football Observatory (CIES). The record continues to ‘belong’ to the 2019/2020 season, with 9.7 billion. Even so, the winter window for this season reached a new high.

THE BALL – Null between Casa Pia and Vitória de Guimarães (see summary) (Liga)

THE BALL – Null between Casa Pia and Vitória de Guimarães (see summary) (Liga)

The direct confrontation for fifth place changed nothing: Vitória de Guimarães continues in that position, two points above Casa Pia, after the 0-0 that persisted until the end of the duel between the two emblems, this Sunday night at the National Stadium, in Oeiras . In a game that never got to heat up, and … Read more