Pre-Season Wins on Presentation Day
Today would prove to be a day of celebration for one very young new member of the FC Porto team. James Rodriguez, who just celebrated his 19th birthday with the club back in Germany on the 12th, scored his first Porto goal during the pre-season meet up with Ajax today at the Dragão. With spped increasing down the wings for Porto, a goal was immeninet and it would come sooner rather than later. A major mistake by Ajax keeper Vermeer in the 13th minute would allow Hulk to beat him in speed before crossing the ball in to James for the one and only goal of the match. Joao Moutinho and Fernando Belluschi would also be major protagnoists in the match today, providing activity in the midfield that would get the team going offensively. Although Porto played a superb match there were still laps in play where Ajax would test the Dragons on defending however, Helton would be there time and time again to make his presence known in the goal. 
With another succesful match Porto coach Andre Villas-Boas, while hailing his team for their work in the match today, also noted that there are things that also need to be improved by his side previous to the beginning of the season. The Porto coach declined to comment on Moutinho stating that he rather talk of his team collectively rather than talking about certain individuals.
Today also was presentation day for many clubs around the country, and Porto would not be an exception. Out of the starting eleven Joao Moutinho, who sealed a shock move from rivals Sporting to Porto only a few weeks previous to today, would get the loudest set of applause. Porto supporters continue to show much support for the midfielder who was criticized by some following his move North, Moutinho even now has his own song. The Dragons are still without Raul Meireles, Rolando, Beto, & Bruno Alves who are all still out on vacation following their appearance with the national squad in World Cup 2010. A check of injuries as of this afternoon leaves on Silvestre Varela and Mariano recovering from injuries sustatined last season.
Meanwhile in Lisbon today, Sporting encountered the next stage of pre-season as they took on Olympique Lyonnais at the Alvalade. The Lions came in confident even though they suffered a heartbreaking defeat again PSG only days before. Sporting came into the match with all of their world cup players back at home. Although they had the options to play their world cup stars, Paulo Sergio instead would only start two, Pedro Mendes and Miguel Veloso. Three minutes in Tonel scored Sporting’s first goal and the only goal of the first half. While Lyon preserved face in the first half by holding Sporting to only one goal, Sporting would retun from the break to make even more chances and force Lyon’s keeper to make save after save. Paulo Sergio would subsitute half the team after the break, only keeping Maniche in who would act as a guiding force for the team and would have an excellent performance tonight. Lyon’s fate would be secured in a loss after Yannick Djalo would beat the keeper by receiving a ball from Diogo Salomao at the 72nd that would shut down the French team. Sporting’s dominating performance would earn them a thundering applause from the 20,000 spectators present at the match this evening. 
Previous to the match Sporting presented it’s team for the 2010/11 season to the fans like many of the other clubs in the league have done previously. During the presentation the announcer would announce Anderson Polga as Sporting’s captain for the new season but Paulo Sergio ensured it was mearly excessive language stating, “I want everyone to feel responsible, though some have more features than others. Polga is one of the captains but there will be more.” Yesterday Daniel Carriço spoke to the press about the injury he sustained in the match against PSG and also about the possiblity if he had been named captain of the squad. Carriço said in the case of him being named as captain he would be ready for the job, as he already captains the Under 21 national team. He also took time to talk about the issues of the new ball and promised that instead of focusing on the issues of the new ball they will try to work to use the new ball to their advantage and will have to work harder to improve on set pieces.
With the new season only weeks away it’s time to make final tweeks to the teams before the windows are closed for the transfer window. The big clubs have plenty to decide on and the drama continues into yet another week.
