Manchester City do not have to look far to see the quality produced by Portuguese clubs over the last generation.
The Blues boast four first-team stars in their squad that came through Benfica’s academy while across town United have three more internationals, with so much talent from the country in Manchester alone that the national team manager recently paid a visit to the city to see his players ahead of their World Cup play-offs.
If the Portuguese league ultimately loses its best talent to stronger European leagues, its clubs have certainly left their mark in the Champions League; Porto gave City two fiery games in the group stage last season, and Sporting have progressed this time at the expense of Erling Haaland’s Dortmund.
Pep Guardiola will be aware that there were more difficult last-16 ties in the draw, but will also not be underestimating a team that won a league and cup double last season in Ruben Amorim’s first full year in charge.
Someone to have seen their growth up close is Julio Velazquez, who took over at Maritimo this season and did well to keep them up before parting company with them earlier in the season.
The Spanish coach pushed them all the way back in September when they almost held out for a draw at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, only to be beaten by a last-minute penalty converted by City loanee Pedro Porro. Velasquez accepts that the Blues will be heavy favourites for the tie, but expects a well-drilled Sporting side to be targeting transitions.
“Sporting is a team that has developed immensely in the past three years,” he told MEN Sport.
“They have players with quality to play for Europe's biggest clubs, very solid principles of play and a manager which, to me, is the biggest reason for Sporting's strong identity.
“This is a team that can adapt to different contexts while remaining a nuisance to the opposition. In this tie, they'll have nothing to lose and they're a very pleasant team to watch.
“I think Sporting will try to create havoc in City's defence mainly through offensive transitions, looking for spaces when City loses the ball. Sporting are a very strong team in that moment of the game, with players that can make the difference.
“Looking at both teams identities, it's likely we'll see Sporting trying to explore these situations. Most of the ball possession will surely be City's, so for Sporting it will come down to the effectiveness shown in those transitions.”
One of the sub-plots to the game will be the performance of Porro, a right-back who has been on City’s books for three years and worked his way into Luis Enriquez’s Spain squad but never been seen at the Etihad.
Sporting are expected to trigger a clause in their loan deal with City at the end of the season that will see him sign permanently, but with clubs including Real Madrid showing interest in the player it has surprised some that the Blues do not appear to have considered the exciting 22-year-old in their plans for a position where they do not have much strength in depth.
Those who have watched the defender up close and followed his career are in no doubt about his ability.
“I find Pedro Porro to be one of the most influential players in Sporting's team,” said Velazquez. “This is a player I've known for many years, that's been having an evolution we already predicted when he was playing for Girona and Valladolid.
“In Sporting he has reached another level. He's first and foremost a very hardworking player, extremely committed to the team.
“On the pitch, he shows great stamina and the ability to come forward and arrive into the box. He's clearly one of the best players in the Portuguese league and City should keep an eye on him.
“Who am I to judge a decision that depends on several factors, from the team's principles of play to the club's transfer policy, but this is a player that has developed immensely and would have an important role in many top European teams.”
Velazquez is only 40 but has already been in football coaching for 25 years, having known as a boy this was the life he wanted. After starting off his managerial career in the Spanish Second Division aged 30, he has also managed in Italy and Portugal.
As he mulls over his next job in the game, would he consider following the increasingly well-travelled route from Portugal over to England?
“I'm awaiting a project that can fulfil me in every way,” he said. “Meanwhile I'm taking advantage of the time I have to develop in every aspect because this is a constantly evolving profession and we as managers have to stay up to date.
“I travel a lot, watch football and analyse the offers on the table so that I can always make the right decision.
“Looking at the future, England is undoubtedly the one I'm most looking forward to work in. There's such tremendous passion from fans on a daily basis, the atmosphere in English stadiums is extraordinary, training conditions are top.
“There’s no better context for a manager to develop his career. Without a doubt, working in England would be wonderful.”
