Same contenders, different approaches

Sporting’s first title since 2001-02 represented a refreshing change in Portuguese football after two decades of Benfica and Porto hegemony. Going into the new season, the three traditional powerhouses look well matched, but have adopted differing approaches in the quest for supremacy. While Benfica and Porto’s squads are primarily made up of experienced campaigners, most of them non-Portuguese, Sporting are sticking to the policy of promoting from within their academy and, when dipping into the transfer market, putting their trust in young recruits.

On March 20, 2021 Sporting midfielder Dario Essugo