On the field, on a sticky July night in north-east Portugal, the temperature was unbearable enough for Newcastle United players as they were battered 4-0 by Braga at the picturesque Municipal Stadium.
Off it, though, things were close to boiling point in 2018 for Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United as the popular boss was as transparent as he could be about the club's prospects in the transfer window. We didn't know it then, but this would be Rafa's final season as Toon manager but the warning signs were already there.
The venue was built in 2003, and was a venue for Euro 2004 in Portugal, and is also known as A Pedreira as it is cleverly carved into a mountain. Journalists and club staff alike had posed in front of the illustrious backdrop on the eve of the game on a relatively calm evening at the end of Newcastle's week long stay in the country.
