This weeks European results have shown a dominance of sides from the Iberian Peninsula. In the 8 matches in the Europa League and the Champions League there were 6 teams involved from Spain and Portugal. In comparison there is only one Italian side left and two English sides.
The results of the matches were also ominous for the rest of Europe. The Champions League results were Real Madrid hammering Spurs 4-0 and Barcelona disposing of Ukrainian champions Shaktar Donestk in a 5-1 demolition.
In the Europa League is where the less heralded but equally one sided dominance of the sides from the Iberian Peninsula can be seen. FC Porto, Benfica and Braga represent Portugal in the last eight with Villarreal being the sole Spanish outfit remaining in the tournament.
Porto smashed a much fancied Spartak Moscow side 5-1 with star striker and former Liverpool target Radamel Falcao getting an impressive hatrick. Rumours are that Inter Milan are looking for a replacement for current manager Leonardo with Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas on the top of their wanted list.
Porto's rivals Benfica also registered an impressive 4-1 win over Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. This is impressive considering key players such as Ramires, David Luiz and Angel Di Maria have all left the club this season.
The third and final Portuguese side left in the tournament are a less illustrious yet equally dangerous Braga side. They are responsible for Liverpool's exit from the Europa league, ending the Champions League hopes of Sevilla and Celtic before being knocked out at the group stages despite beating Arsenal 2-0. They were up against Manchester City's conquerors Dynamo Kiev and grabbed a credible 1-1 draw in the Ukraine, giving them a good foundation to go through to the last four.
Villarreal are possibly the favourites for the trophy following their impressive defeats of Italian side Napoli and Germans Bayer Leverkusen they defeated FC Twente of Holland 5-1, virtually guaranteeing their place in the semi-finals.
Looking at these results, I wouldn't bet against two Spanish sides making the final four in the Champions League and an all Iberian quartet in the semi-finals of the Europa League. These results clearly show that both trophies are likely to end up in Southern Europe, I'm not sure whether it will last but it's good to see sides playing more expressive and creative football succeeding on Europe's biggest stages.
In the last 20 years of European football the majority of trophies have been won by clubs from England, Spain, Italy and Germany. Clubs from these four countries have an economic advantage over most of their peers, this tends to reflect in the quality of the football and the coverage they receive from the general media. So I thought I'd speak to people who know a thing or two about football outside the "Big 4" so to speak, to find out about their domestic football.
Today the order of the day is the Liga Zon Sagres (Portugal's top flight). Currently ranked 6th in the UEFA Coefficient and producers of footballing talents such as Jose Mourinho, who many consider to be the world's greatest manager, and possibly the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo.
To find more out about football in Portugal I went to Tom Kundert. Tom edits the popular www.portugoal.net, whilst also writing for The Guardian, FourFourTwo and ESPN Soccernet. Here's what Tom had to say about the current state of football in Portugal...
Name: Tom Kundert
Team Supported: Sporting Clube de Portugal (more commonly known as Sporting Lisbon)
Who do you feel are the top 3 players playing in Portugal and why are they in your top 3?
1. Hulk, FC Porto striker.
Speed, including incredible accelaration, a frighteningly powerful left foot & immense skill all in one beefy frame. There is no doubt in my mind that, injury permitting, Hulk is destined to become a world superstar. As one Portuguese pundit put it the other day: "With all due respect to the other professional footballers playing in Portugal, Hulk does not belong in our championship. He's too good."
2. Falcao, FC Porto striker.
Falcao battles in the Champions League against Arsenals Bacary Sagna
Goals, and lots of them is what you're guaranteed with this Colombian striker. Not particularly strong, tall, fast or technically gifted, he has that priceless knack of being in the right place at the right time and finding a way to get the ball into the net. Some of his goals are of breathtaking beauty (bit of an overhead kick and back-heel specialist), but the majority are scored with unerring efficiency from in and around the six-yard box. Superb header of the ball.
3. Fábio Coentrão, Benfica left-back
Started life as a winger and his speed, footwork and crossing ability means he remains a threat further up the field, but really came of age when moved to left-back where he quickly showed excellent defensive skills. Was superb in Benfica's title-winning season last year, enjoyed a fabulous World Cup and has followed it up with more sparkling performances this season. A move inevitable in the summer when he will be able to pick his club.
With English clubs always looking out for young foreign talent, name 3 under-21s playing in the Portuguese Liga who you feel can make it in the Premier League? And what are their attributes and position?
1. Ukra, FC Porto, Forward/Winger
Creative wide attacking player with bags of potential, but may find it hard to break through at Porto as they tend to want the finished article.
2. Rúben Brigido, União de Leiria, Midfielder
Dubbed the Portuguese Nedved, a real talent who can create something from nothing and usually does.
Ruben Brigido (left) in action against Porto
3. Diogo Salomão, Sporting winger
Looks like the flashy skinny kid playing down the local park but has proved extremely effective when given his chance. In the right place in terms of developing his already considerable jinking wing skills. Sporting have produced Figo, Simão, Quaresma, Ronaldo, Nani. Some believe he can go on to similarly great things.
Do you think that Paulo Bento is the right man to lead Portugal to international success? And what is the reason for your answer?
Paulo Bento (right) with star player Cristiano Ronaldo (left)
Yes. Has the full respect of the players, many of whom played alongside him. So far has kept things simple, putting the players in their natural positions and encouraging them to express themselves and play Portugal's natural attacking game. All things his predecssor Carlos Queiroz did the opposite.
Portugal has a rich history of international stars, who do you consider to be the greatest Portuguese player of all time?
Eusebio. Just look at his record.
Who would you say is the top rated manager in Portugal? And could you see him managing in the Premier League?
André Villas-Boas, Jose Mourinho's long-time assistant at Porto, Chelsea & Inter is getting a lot of headlines after a good start to his managerial career. Did a decent job at Academica - a club of extremely modest resources - in his first head coaching role last season, and has enjoyed a brilliant start to the top job he was given at FC Porto last summer. Still only 33 years old, he is a good tactician and excellent motivator, but I wouldn't expect him to leave Porto - his hometown club - for at least a couple more seasons.
Who will win the Portuguese Liga this season?
FC Porto, unless they suffer a spectacular implosion. Have drawn 2 and won 12 games out of 14 so far and nearest rivals Benfica are a shadow of the team they were last season.
Do you think a Portuguese club will win the Champions League anytime soon?
No. When a very good team is put together - such as Benfica last season or Porto this season - simple economics makes it impossible for Portuguese clubs to hold on to their best players. It's one of the frustrations of being a fan of Portuguese football. A top-quality team will always be broken up before it has the chance to reach its full potential. Di Maria and Ramires left Benfica last season and at least one out of Hulk, Falcao and João Moutinho will be sold by Porto in the summer.
What are your thoughts on Portugals performance in Africa 2010?
It's a measure of how far the Portuguese national team has come that losing in the last 16 to the eventual champions was considered a big disappointment. What angered most people in Portugal was the fact the side abandoned its natural attacking philosophy and adopted a super cautious defensive approach, when Portugal has some of the best attacking talent in the world. Queiroz did not make the most intelligent use of the resources available, although he can rightly point to bad luck in terms of injuries - namely Nani and Bosingwa.
Do you think Jose Mourinho will ever manage Portugal?
Yes. He's stated on several occasions it's one of his ambitions, and as everybody knows, what José wants José gets.
What can English football learn from Portugal in relation to developing young talent?
Nani and Ronaldo two of Sporting's youth teams most successful products. Others are Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho and Luis Figo.
Don't be afraid to throw youngsters onto the big stage in place of more established stars - although this is a lesson from Sporting rather than the other two big clubs, Benfica & FC Porto, who don't have a great record at bringing through their own talent.
(END)
Well I hope that was as informative for you as it was for me. I know I'll be watching out for some of the names mentioned in our chat. I would also like to thank Tom for taking time out to answer some of my questions. As usual thanks for reading.
