Sporting Clube de Portugal - Manchester United FC MATCH PRESS KIT José Alvalade, Lisbon Wednesday 19 September CET Group F - Matchday 1

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1 Sporting Clube de Portugal Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Group F Matchday Match background Match facts Squad list Head coach Match officials Domestic information Contents 7 UEFA information 8 Matchbymatch lineups 9 Competition facts Team facts Competition information Legend Match background Sporting Clube de Portugal will welcome back a trio of old faces when Manchester United CF visit the Portuguese capital for their opening Group F fixture. United's squad features two former Sporting players in Portugal wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani while Sir Alex Ferguson s assistant Carlos Queiroz had a spell as coach there in the mid9s. However, a Sporting side aiming to improve on last term's disappointing European campaign will know it is not just their former charges who could damage their prospects among a visiting team who were UEFA Champions League semifinalists in /7. Ronaldo had one season in Sporting s first team after graduating from the junior ranks, making appearances and scoring three goals during the / campaign. He subsequently joined United for a fee of more than 8m. Nani, who left Sporting in a.m transfer in May, made 9 league appearances and scored nine goals for Sporting between and 7. He featured in all six of their UEFA Champions League games last term, scoring once. Queiroz held the reins at Sporting between 999 and led the club to victory in the Portuguese Cup. United are aiming for their th victory in the European Champion Clubs' Cup. Sporting who qualified automatically for the group stage as secondplaced finishers in Portugal will hope to improve on last term's showing in Europe where they finished bottom of a section also containing FC Bayern München, FC Internazionale Milano and Spartak Moskva. They opened their campaign with a home win over Inter but lost their two remaining home games and registered just two points (and two goals) more. Premier League winners United enjoyed their best UEFA Champions League campaign since / last season. After finishing top of their group ahead of Celtic FC, SL Benfica and FC København they overcame LOSC Lille Métropole and AS Roma before falling on aggregate to AC Milan in the semifinals. Despite their long run in the competition, United s away form was mixed as they won two and lost four of their matches. Looking further back, Sir Alex Ferguson s team go into his fixture having won just two of their last UEFA Champions League matches on the road. Last updated ::7CET Match background

2 Sporting Clube de Portugal The Old Trafford outfit have won three, drawn one and lost four of their previous games in Portugal. On their most recent visit last September they beat Sporting's rivals SL Benfica through a Louis Saha goal. The clubs' only previous encounter came in the 9/ UEFA Cup Winners' Cup quarterfinals and it ended happily for Sporting who recovered from a firstleg deficit with a spectacular victory in the return. The Lisbon club went on to lift the trophy with a final replay victory over MTK Budapest. Sporting have never lost at home to English opponents, recording four victories and one draw. They ran out winners against their most recent visitors from the Premier League, Newcastle United FC, in the second leg of a UEFA Cup quarterfinal tie in /. The match could mark a quick return to the Estádio José Alvalade for United defender Nemanja Vidić who was due to appear there for Serbia against Portugal in a UEFA EURO 8 qualifier on September. Sporting Match facts Marián Had celebrated his th birthday three days before the United game, on September, and Marat Izmailov turns on September. Celsinho celebrated his 9th birthday on August. Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Sporting enjoyed success in the Portuguese Liga on Sunday as they won at CF Estrela da Amadora. Paulo Bento's men took the lead after just eight minutes, when Milan Purović supplied Liedson, before doubling their advantage in the 9th minute when Simon Vukčević made no mistake from Abel's cross. Coach Bento said: "It wasn't a great match but we were clinical in the first half while in the second we controlled the game. We could have made it easier on ourselves if we had scored from some of our chances. It was a very important win which marks the start of an important period for us." "The game against Manchester United will be very exciting and we will try to get three points against opponents who have some great players," he added. "But they are human beings like us." Sporting were without Pedro Silva after surgery on 7 September having twisted his left knee during training, an injury that rules him out for at least six months. Derlei was also missing after tearing cruciate ligaments during training on September. He underwent surgery on his left knee eight days later but despite a "satisfactory" outcome he will also be sidelined for a minimum of six months. Had is yet to feature for the Lisbon outfit because of a left thigh problem sustained during a training session on August. Purović made his first start in Sporting's weekend victory, while Vukčević's goal was his first since signing in the summer. Sporting made sweeping changes over the summer, signing nine new players. Five arrivals came from Russia, as Izmailov, Had and Celsinho arrived from FC Lokomotiv Moskva on yearlong loan deals, Derlei from FC Dinamo Moskva on a sixmonth loan, and Vukčević on a permanent contract from FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast. Vladimir Stojković and Purović agreed fiveyear contracts, while Vukčević and Pedro Silva penned four and threeyear deals respectively. Last updated ::7CET Match facts

3 Sporting Clube de Portugal There were a number of departures as well, the most significant of which was Nani, who joined Manchester United in.m deal. Sporting lost three defensive players as goalkeeper and captain Ricardo moved to Spain to join Real Betis Balompié, Marco Caneira returned to Valencia CF and Rodrigo Tello signed for Beşiktaş JK. Alecsandro and Carlos Bueno returned to Cruzeiro EC and Paris SaintGermain FC respectively after oneyear loans. Also departing were Carlos Martins (RC Recreativo de Huelva), Custódio (Dinamo Moskva), Miguel Garcia (Reggina Calcio), João Alves (Vitória SC). João Moutinho agreed a sixyear contract extension, while Tiago accepted a new oneyear deal. Paulo Bento also agreed to sign a new contract, committing until the summer of 9. Following Ricardo's departure, João Moutinho was appointed the club's new captain, Sporting's youngest ever skipper. "I didn't think I could be captain of a club of such standing at the age of but I'm aware of the responsibility," he said. "I will remain the same person." Stojković, from FC Nantes Atlantique, is the tallest player in the Liga at.9m. Wednesday 9 September 7.CET João Moutinho and Miguel Veloso played all four of Portugal's games at the UEFA European Under Championship this summer as they were eliminated in the group stage and lost to Italy in a playoff for the Olympic Games. Miguel Veloso scored twice in the tournament. Rui Patrício, Paulo Renato and Bruno Pereirinha helped Portugal to reach the last at the FIFA U World Cup in July. Sporting players have also been on senior international duty. Stojković played in Serbia's defeat in Belgium in UEFA EURO 8 qualifying Group A on August, while Vukčević and Purović were involved as Montenegro drew against Slovenia in a friendly. The club endured a mixed preseason as defeat against SL Benfica in the Torneio Internacional do Guadiana () was offset by victories against LOSC Lille Métropole () and champions FC Porto in the Super Cup, Izmailov scoring the only goal late in the second half. Pedro Silva had to come off just eleven minutes into his debut in the Super Cup after twisting his left knee and remains on the sidelines. Sporting began their Liga campaign with a win against A. Académica de Coimbra on 7 August with Derlei, Liedson, Tonel and João Moutinho, a late penalty, supplying the goals. They followed up by playing Porto again and this time losing a result that ended a run of unbeaten matches in all competitions stretching back to defeat against FC Spartak Moskva in UEFA Champions League group stage on December. Sporting were back to winning ways in the third league game on September however as a late Liedson header proved enough for a home win against CF Os Belenenses. The match against Belenenses included a missed penalty by João Moutinho. It was the sixth spotkick Sporting had missed in the league in attempts since Paulo Bento became coach in October. Adrien Silva captained Portugal's Under9 side in a friendly win against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on September. Two days later he came off the bench at the interval in a friendly victory against the same opponents. Last updated ::7CET Match facts

4 Sporting Clube de Portugal Miguel Veloso started Portugal's qualifier for the 9 European U Championship against the Republic of Ireland on 7 September. He scored the second goal in the victory in Cork. Patrício and Pereirinha were unused substitutes. Four days later Miguel Veloso played all 9 minutes of Portugal's win against Montenegro in Group. Vukčević missed the game due to a back problem sustained in training with Montenegro. Patrício stayed on the bench once again but Pereirinha came on for the last ten minutes. Yannick Djaló was also called up but suffered a right thigh injury during training with Portugal and was withdrawn from the squad. Vukčević started Montenegro's home defeat to England's U side in Podgorica on 7 September, although he was substituted in Sofia after 7 minutes. The midfielder had previously scored the first ever goal for his country at U level during the away win against Bulgaria on June. Had started Slovakia's friendly defeat at home to France on August but was replaced after 7 minutes. João Moutinho came off the bench to play the last nine minutes of Portugal's draw with Poland in UEFA EURO 8 qualifying Group A on 8 September his st birthday. Four days later he came on as a 77thminute substitute in the home draw against Serbia. Stojković started both of Serbia's Group A games in September, the goalless draw at home to Finland on 8 September and the draw in Lisbon against Portugal four days later. Purović was a late substitute as Montenegro lost in a friendly against Sweden in Podgorica on September. Gladstone was an unused substitute in the two friendly matches played by Brazil in the United States. Dunga's team won against the hosts on 9 September and three days later defeated Mexico. Sporting have been drawn away to Vitória SC in the third round of the Portuguese League Cup, a new competition that starts this season. The match will be played on September. Manchester United Mikaël Silvestre is one appearance short of 7 in UEFA club competition while John O'Shea's next European match will be his th. A late header by Nemanja Vidić proved enough to earn United a victory against Everton FC at Goodison Park on Saturday. The Serbian defender struck the only goal in the 8nd minute. The victory put United top of the table for minutes, although Liverpool FC and then Arsenal FC replaced them before the end of the day. The win was United's first away from Old Trafford this season following defeat against Manchester City FC and draws against Portsmouth FC. It was their third consecutive victory and kept up a run in which they have not scored more than once in any of their last nine league fixtures, going back to a win against Everton on 8 April. United have the longest run in the Premier League since losing by more than a single goal matches since a reverse by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 9 April. United have won more Premier League games than any other club (7). Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Last updated ::7CET Match facts

5 Sporting Clube de Portugal Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Wayne Rooney was in the United squad against Everton but did not feature in the matchday. The striker has not played since breaking a bone in his left foot on the opening weekend of the Premier League season against Reading FC on August. Darren Fletcher and O'Shea were both absent against Everton having suffered knee injuries on international duty for Scotland and the Republic of Ireland respectively in midweek, while Owen Hargreaves missed out again due to the thigh injury that forced him to miss England's internationals against Israel and Russia. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, returned to the starting lineup after serving a threegame suspension incurred by his red card at Portsmouth. Gary Neville has not played since 7 March due to a calf problem, while Ji Sung Park is likely to be out until the new year having had knee surgery in April and Ben Foster will be sidelined until January after suffering cruciate ligament damage in his right knee in June. Silvestre was carried off on a stretcher five minutes before halftime after suffering a knee injury at Goodison Park. It was later confirmed he had sustained cruciate ligament damage in his right knee and is likely to miss the remainder of the season. "We are determined, we have a good team ethic, a good shape and we had good passing," said Sir Alex Ferguson. "We will work away and this is a very good result." Last week Fletcher helped Scotland defeat Lithuania and win in France to go top of UEFA EURO 8 qualifying Group B, although injury forced his substitution midway through the first half in the latter encounter. Patrice Evra was an unused substitute as France drew in Italy and lost to the Scots to slip to third position. Rio Ferdinand scored England's third goal in the Group E win against Russia at Wembley Stadium on September having helped his side beat Israel by an identical score four days earlier. O'Shea featured in both Group D games as the Republic of Ireland drew in Slovakia and lost away against the Czech Republic, with injury forcing his replacement before halftime in Prague, while Jonny Evans appeared in two Group F games as Northern Ireland lost in Latvia () and Iceland (). Edwin van der Sar kept clean sheets as the Netherlands defeated Bulgaria and Albania in Group G, while Ronaldo and Vidić were on opposing sides in Group A on September as Portugal drew with Serbia. Four days earlier Ronaldo had scored Portugal's second goal in their home draw with Poland. Carlos Tévez was replaced late on as Argentina overcome Australia in a friendly international in Melbourne on September. Premier League champions United opened the English season with another trophy, taking a measure of revenge on Chelsea FC for their FA Cup final defeat in May by claiming the FA Community Shield. Giggs gave United the lead and, although Florent Malouda equalised before halftime, Van der Sar saved all three kicks he faced in the ensuing penalty shootout with Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Rooney all converting as United won. United failed to carry that winning form into their first two Premier League games, however, being held to a goalless home draw by Reading in their first game before a draw at Portsmouth in which Ronaldo was sent off that preceded a derby loss at Manchester City FC. The champions got their first league win of the season at the fourth time of asking as Nani's first goal for his new club earned a home win against Tottenham Hotspur FC. Sunderland AFC were then defeated by the same scoreline at Old Trafford, Saha getting the only goal. Sir Alex completed the majority of his summer spending by early July, paying FC Bayern München m for Hargreaves and acquiring Anderson and Nani from FC Porto and Sporting for a combined fee in the region of m. Tomasz Kuszczak made his loan move from West Bromwich Albion FC permanent. The move to acquire Tévez from West Ham United FC was more complicated, but eventually went through on August. Last updated ::7CET Match facts

6 Sporting Clube de Portugal Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Gabriel Heinze moved to Real Madrid CF for m, Alan Smith left for Newcastle United FC for 9m, Giuseppe Rossi signed for Villarreal CF for a similar fee and Sunderland paid 8m for Kieran Richardson. Ole Gunnar Solskjær has announced his retirement at the age of due to a persistent knee injury. The former Norway striker joined United from Molde FK in 99 and went on to win six Premier League titles and two FA Cups and scored the winning goal in the 999 UEFA Champions League final. He will remain at the club as a coach. On June Wes Brown and Fletcher helped England and Scotland to crucial UEFA EURO 8 qualifying away victories against Estonia and the Faroe Islands respectively. Five days earlier Brown had also featured in England's friendly draw against Brazil, the first international at the new Wembley Stadium. Anderson and Tévez experienced contrasting emotions at the Copa América as the former's Brazil side overcome Tévez's Argentina in the final while Dong Fangzhuo was part of China's squad at the AFC Asian Cup. Nani represented Portugal at the UEFA European Under Championship in the Netherlands, though he was unable to help his side overcome Italy in the Olympic Games playoff after both teams had failed to make the semifinals having finished third in their respective groups. A number of United players were in UEFA EURO 8 qualifying action on August, Ronaldo scoring Portugal's draw in their draw in Armenia while, also in Group A, Vidić featured in Serbia's defeat against Belgium. In friendlies, Ferdinand was replaced by Brown in England's home loss to Germany in which Carrick also featured, O'Shea appeared in the Republic of Ireland's win in Denmark, Fletcher created the only goal of Scotland's win against South Africa and Evra played 9 minutes as France overcame Slovakia. Giggs was a made an Officer of the order of the British Empire for services to football in the Queen's birthday honours list in June. Last season he won a record ninth Premier League title and became only the second player in United's history to pass the 7 appearance benchmark after Sir Bobby Charlton. United had begun preseason with a tour of Asia, opening with a draw against Urawa Reds before defeating FC Seoul and Shenzen FC, Nani scoring on his United debut in the latter match. Last updated ::7CET Match facts

7 Squad list Sporting Alltime Current season UEFA UCL League UCL UCLQ Gls Pld Gls Pld Gls Pld Gls Pld Gls Pld BL Age DoB Nat. Player No Goalkeepers Rui Patrício..97 Tiago SRB Vladimir Stojković André Martins Defenders..98 BRA Pedro Silva.9.98 SVK Marián Had BRA Anderson Polga..98 BRA Ronny Tonel ITA Gladstone..987 Paulo Renato Michael Santos Jorge Abreu Rui Figueiredo Tiago Pedrosa Abel 78 Midfielders.7.97 PAR Carlos Paredes Adrien Silva.9.98 RUS Marat Izmailov MNE Milan Purović MNE Simon Vukčević SWE Pontus Farnerud..98 Miguel Veloso Bruno Pereirinha João Moutinho ITA Leandro Romagnoli Diogo Jorge Rosado Andre Renato Soares Martins Diogo Amado Diogo Viana André Santos Bruno Matias BRA Celsinho 88 Forwards.7.97 BRA Derlei..98 Yannick Djaló BRA Liedson Wilson Eduardo Marco Matias Vivaldo ESP Luís Paez 8 Coach Paulo Bento Last updated ::9CET Squad list Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Sporting Clube de Portugal

8 Man. United Alltime Current season UEFA UCL League UCL UCLQ Gls Pld Gls Pld Gls Pld Gls Pld Gls Pld BL Age DoB Nat. Player No Goalkeepers NED Edwin van der Sar..98 POL Tomasz Kuszczak Thomas Heaton GER RonRobert Zieler Defenders Gary Neville FRA Patrice Evra Rio Ferdinand Wes Brown SRB Nemanja Vidić..987 ESP Gerard Piqué IRL John O'Shea NIR Johnny Evans..987 Daniel Simpson Phil Bardsley FRA Mikaël Silvestre Kieran Lee SCO David Gray Adam Eckersley Midfielders..98 Owen Hargreaves BRA Anderson WAL Ryan Giggs Michael Carrick Nani Paul Scholes SCO Darren Fletcher IRL Darron Gibson Chris Eagles Forwards Cristiano Ronaldo FRA Louis Saha Wayne Rooney..98 CHN Dong Fangzhuo Lee Martin..98 ARG Carlos Tévez Frazier Campbell 9 Coach 7..9 SCO Alex Ferguson Last updated ::9CET Squad list Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Sporting Clube de Portugal

9 Sporting Clube de Portugal Head coach Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Sporting Clube de Portugal: Paulo Bento Date of birth: June 99 Nationality: Portuguese Playing career: CF Estrela da Amadora, Vitória SC, SL Benfica, Real Oviedo CF, Sporting Clube de Portugal Coaching career: Sporting Clube de Portugal A former international midfielder who made an instant impact upon rising to the top job at Sporting Clube de Portugal in October, Paulo Bento has been a winner throughout his footballing life. He began his playing career at CF Estrela da Amadora, helping them win the Portuguese Cup in 989/9. He then moved on to Vitória SC before a switch to SL Benfica brought him another cup triumph in 99/9. He then spent four seasons in Spain with Real Oviedo CF. He returned to Portuguese football and Sporting for the / campaign, and a season later helped them win the Portuguese double. He retired from playing at the end of /, and quickly accepted a role in the Sporting coaching setup where he guided the youth team to the national title in /. In October he was promoted to firstteam coach after the sacking of José Peseiro, and quickly improved the side's fortunes, leading Sporting on a run of ten straight victories between January and April. Overall, in his 7 league games in charge in /, he achieved 8 wins and six draws, although a defeat against FC Porto in a decisive meeting meant a secondplace finish. Sporting also lost to Porto on a penalty shootout in the Portuguese Cup semifinals but the club had seen enough for the future. He was rewarded for his efforts in ensuring a /7 UEFA Champions League groupstage berth with a twoyear contract in May. The following campaign Sporting were again just pipped to the title by Porto but glory did come with a win against CF Os Belenenses in the Portuguese Cup final. The 7/8 season was Paulo Bento's first as a fully qualified coach for UEFA club competition purposes. : Sir Alex Ferguson Date of birth: December 9 Nationality: Scottish Coaching career: Falkirk FC, East Stirlingshire FC, Saint Mirren FC, Aberdeen FC, Sir Alex Ferguson has enjoyed almost three decades at the top, restoring to their position as one of Europe's foremost clubs. He helped nurture a group of young players including David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville who formed the backbone of United's treblewinning side in 999. The esteem in which his peers hold him is reflected by his position as head of the UEFA Coaches Panel. Ferguson enjoyed a relatively successful playing career that included a spell at Rangers FC before becoming playercoach at Falkirk FC. He then managed East Stirlingshire FC and Saint Mirren FC before shooting to prominence at Aberdeen FC. In 98 the club won the Scottish title to break the Old Firm's year stranglehold, a dominance which has returned since Aberdeen's last title in 98. Ferguson's greatest success with the Dons came in 98, when they beat Real Madrid CF to win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. United appointed Ferguson in 98 and after a difficult start the Scot led the club to their longest period of sustained success. Their first trophy was the 99 FA Cup, followed next season by Cup Winners' Cup glory. In 99 came the first of nine Premier League titles, to which five FA Cups were added. Ferguson's finest moment came in 999, when two addedtime goals gave United a UEFA Champions League final victory against FC Bayern München. After failing to get beyond the / group stage and finishing runnersup behind Premiership champions Chelsea FC, Ferguson hit the heights again with the /7 league title and a place in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Last updated ::CET Head coach

10 Sporting Clube de Portugal Match officials Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Referee Assistant referees Fourth official UEFA Delegate UEFA Referee observer Herbert Fandel (GER) Carsten Kadach (GER), Volker Wezel (GER) Peter Gagelmann (GER) Ivan Borissov Lekov (BUL) Hans Reijgwart (NED) Referee Name Herbert Fandel Nat. GER DoB 9..9 UCL UEFA Whether performing a classical piano piece for an appreciative audience, or refereeing football's superstars in front of a packed crowd, Herbert Fandel keeps cool and delivers. Stage fright is out of the question. The German, who took charge of Sevilla FC's UEFA Cup final defeat of Middlesbrough FC in May a year before orchestrating the 7 UEFA Champions League showpiece when AC Milan beat Liverpool FC in Athens, is used to the big occasion, both as a fulltime pianist with his own highly successful music school and as one of Europe's leading referees. Fandel, a father of two who lives in Kyllburg, close to the Luxembourg border, became the first German to take charge of a oneoff UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven. Having started his refereeing career in 989, he joined the élite band of Bundesliga officials in 99 and earned his FIFA badge two years later. His break on the international stage came at the UEFA European Under Championship in 998 before he travelled to the 999 UEFACAF Meridian Cup in South Africa. Appointments at the UEFA European Under Championship and Sydney Olympics followed in ahead of the step up to FIFA World Cup qualifying in. He also did the FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil before taking took charge of his second German Cup final in three campaigns, with FC Bayern München lifting the / trophy after a win against Eintracht Frankfurt. He has also been a UEFA EURO 8 regular. UEFA Champions League matches involving teams from the two countries involved in this match Date Comp. Stage Res. Venue 7.. UCL GS RC Deportivo La Coruña Manchester 7.9. UCL GS Valencia CF Liverpool FC Valencia.8. UCL QR S.S. Lazio SL Benfica Rome.. UCL /8 FC Porto Porto 9.9. UCL GS Chelsea FC FC Porto London.. UCL GS PSV Eindhoven Arsenal FC Eindhoven 8.. UCL /8 AC Milan Milan.. UCL GS FC Porto Rangers FC Porto.. UCL GS Chelsea FC Liverpool FC London.. UCL QF Juventus Arsenal FC Turin.. UCL GS SL Benfica Manchester..7 UCL /8 Liverpool FC FC Barcelona Liverpool..7 UCL QF AS Roma Rome..7 UCL F AC Milan Liverpool FC Athens Other matches Matches involving teams from either of the two countries involved in this match Date Comp. Stage Res. Venue U QR Sweden England Sundsvall..999 R Portugal Nigeria Cape Town UCUP R FK Partizan Leeds United AFC Heerenveen 7.. U GS FT Italy England Bratislava.. U GS FT England Slovakia Bratislava.. UCUP F Middlesbrough FC Sevilla FC Eindhoven Last updated ::CET Match officials

11 Sporting Clube de Portugal Sporting Clube de Portugal (SuperLiga) Domestic information Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Comp. Date Opponent Res. Goalscorers League 7/8/7 A. Académica de Coimbra (H) Derlei, Liedson, Tonel 9, João Moutinho 9(pen) League /8/7 FC Porto (A) Lineups: Stojković, Abel (Yannick Djaló 7), Tonel, Polga, Ronny (Pereirinha 7), Miguel Veloso, João Moutinho, Izmailov (Vukčević ), Romagnoli, Derlei, Liedson League /9/7 CF Os Belenenses (H) Liedson 8 Lineups: Stojković, Abel, Tonel (Yannick Djaló ), Polga, Ronny, Miguel Veloso (Vukčević 7), Izmailov (Purović ), João Moutinho, Romagnoli, Derlei, Liedson League /9/7 CF Estrela da Amadora (A) Liedson 8, Vukčević 9 Lineups: Stojković, Abel, Tonel, Polga, Ronny, Miguel Veloso, João Moutinho, Vukčević (Pereirinha 87), Romagnoli (Farnerud ), Liedson, Purović (Yannick Djaló 7) League /9/7 Vitória FC (H) League /9/7 SL Benfica (A) League 7//7 Vitória SC (H) League 8//7 CD Nacional (A) League //7 A. Naval Maio (H) League //7 SC Braga (A) League //7 Leixões SC (A) League //7 UD Leiria (H) League //7 CS Marítimo (A) League //7 FC Paços de Ferreira (H) League //8 Boavista FC (A) League //8 A. Académica de Coimbra (A) League 7//8 FC Porto (H) League //8 CF Os Belenenses (A) League 7//8 CF Estrela da Amadora (H) League //8 Vitória FC (A) League //8 SL Benfica (H) League 9//8 Vitória SC (A) League //8 CD Nacional (H) League //8 A. Naval Maio (A) Pos Clubs FC Porto CS Marítimo Sporting Clube de Portugal SL Benfica Vitória FC Vitória SC SC Braga Leixões SC CF Estrela da Amadora CF Os Belenenses A. Académica de Coimbra Boavista FC FC Paços de Ferreira UD Leiria CD Nacional A. Naval Maio Pld W D L GF GA 7 7 Pts Last updated ::CET Domestic information

12 Sporting Clube de Portugal (Premier League) Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Comp. Date Opponent Res. Goalscorers League /8/7 Reading FC (H) League /8/7 Portsmouth FC (A) Scholes League 9/8/7 Manchester City FC (A) League /8/7 Tottenham Hotspur FC (H) Nani 8 Lineups: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidić, Evra, Nani, Hargreaves, Carrick (Eagles 7), Scholes, Giggs, Tévez (Fletcher 77) League /9/7 Sunderland AFC (H) Saha 7 Lineups: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidić, Evra, Eagles (Fletcher ), Hargreaves, Scholes, Nani (O'Shea 8), Anderson (Saha ), Tévez League /9/7 Everton FC (A) Vidić 8 Lineups: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidić, Silvestre (Nani, Piqué 8), Cristiano Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Evra, Giggs (Saha ), Tévez League /9/7 Chelsea FC (H) League 9/9/7 Birmingham City FC (A) League //7 Wigan Athletic FC (H) League //7 Aston Villa FC (A) League 7//7 Middlesbrough FC (H) League //7 Arsenal FC (A) League //7 Blackburn Rovers FC (H) League //7 Bolton Wanderers FC (A) League //7 Fulham FC (H) League 8//7 Derby County FC (H) League //7 Liverpool FC (A) League //7 Everton FC (H) League //7 Sunderland AFC (A) League 9//7 West Ham United FC (A) League //8 Birmingham City FC (H) League //8 Newcastle United FC (H) League 9//8 Reading FC (A) League //8 Portsmouth FC (H) League //8 Tottenham Hotspur FC (A) League //8 Manchester City FC (H) Last updated ::CET Domestic information

13 Sporting Clube de Portugal Pos Clubs Arsenal FC Manchester City FC Liverpool FC Chelsea FC West Ham United FC Everton FC Blackburn Rovers FC Wigan Athletic FC Newcastle United FC Aston Villa FC Birmingham City FC Middlesbrough FC Sunderland AFC Portsmouth FC Fulham FC Tottenham Hotspur FC Reading FC Derby County FC Bolton Wanderers FC Pld Wednesday 9 September 7.CET W D L GF GA Pts Last updated ::CET Domestic information

14 Sporting Clube de Portugal UEFA information Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Solidarity payments UEFA is distributing.m in solidarity payments from the /7 UEFA Champions League to the top leagues of UEFA's member associations. Leagues with participants in the /7 UEFA Champions League will receive a total of m, while leagues without participants in last season's competition will receive 7.m. The payment is being made by UEFA as part of the solidarity scheme associated with the UEFA Champions League, Europe's most prestigious club competition. It is aimed at supporting youth development activities in professional football, and complements other UEFA initiatives such as club licensing and the introduction of rules on locallytrained players. Coaching licence London will be the setting as UEFA celebrates the tenth anniversary of the introduction of the European Coaching Licence. The seventh UEFA Symposium for Coach Education Directors, which will take place on September at the Grange City Hotel, will focus on events that have taken place in the decade since six UEFA member associations France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain and Italy were the first to sign the UEFA Convention on the Mutual Recognition of Coaching Qualifications. Highprofile guests and speakers including Gérard Houllier, Fabio Capello and Sir Trevor Brooking, will contribute. Coaches forum Many of the top coaches in Europe were at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on 7 September for the ninth UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum. Illustrious names such as José Mourinho, Arsène Wenger, Ottmar Hitzfeld and Gérard Houllier joined senior UEFA officials at the forum, an essential component within UEFA's annual calendar. The coaches have an ideal opportunity at the gathering, away from the pressures of competition, to debate matters of mutual interest and to stimulate thoughts on the development of the game. The forum/seminar focused on technical trends, tactical tracking systems to assist coaches, refereeing issues and toplevel training methods. In previous years the meetings have produced various recommendations which UEFA has taken on board for the overall benefit of the European club game. Safety summit UEFA, in cooperation with the Dutch National Football Information Point (CIV), brought together various parties in Amsterdam earlier this month to discuss safety and security aspects related to international football matches. The meeting was attended by representatives of the European police and governmental bodies, security officers of UEFA and the national football associations, and security officials of the clubs taking part in this season's UEFA Champions League. "The event provided an opportunity to initiate the security planning for the UEFA Champions League group stage matches, to exchange information about the participating clubs and to share experiences and highlight good and bad practices," said UEFA. Referee guidance Europe's referees have been given clear instructions for action on penaltyarea jostling and stopping play for player injuries. The instructions came during a twoday summer gathering of Europe's top referees and assistants at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. "UEFA continues to work with Europe's top referees and assistants, in particular focusing on certain aspects which are harming the image of the modern game," said the European body in a statement. Key dates The 7/8 UEFA Champions League group stage will be played over six matchdays 8/9 September, / October, / October, /7 November, 7/8 November and / December. The first knockout round will follow over two legs on 9/ February and / March after the draw in Nyon on December. The draw for the quarterfinals, semifinals and final will be staged on March. The last eight will be played on / and 8/9 April before the semifinals on / and 8/9 April. The 8 UEFA Champions League final will be played in Moscow on May, before UEFA EURO 8 kicks off in Austria and Switzerland on 7 June. Last updated ::CET UEFA information

15 Sporting Clube de Portugal Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Matchbymatch lineups Group F Club AS Roma Sporting Clube de Portugal FC Dynamo Kyiv Pld W D L GF GA Pts Date Match Roma Dynamo Kyiv Sporting Man. United Man. United Roma Dynamo Kyiv Sporting Dynamo Kyiv Man. United Roma Sporting Man. United Dynamo Kyiv Sporting Roma Dynamo Kyiv Roma Man. United Sporting Roma Man. United Sporting Dynamo Kyiv Result Stadium, Venue Stadio Olimpico, Rome Old Trafford, Manchester NSC Olympiyskiy Stadium, Kiev NSC Olympiyskiy Stadium, Kiev Stadio Olimpico, Rome Old Trafford, Manchester NSC Olympiyskiy Stadium, Kiev Old Trafford, Manchester Stadio Olimpico, Rome Last updated ::CET

16 Sporting Clube de Portugal Competition facts Wednesday 9 September 7.CET UEFA Champions League: Group stage milestones Holders AC Milan will be keen to avoid becoming the first defending champions to fail to get through a group stage since the UEFA Champions League began. (This record, like the others, includes the seasons between 999/ and / that featured a second group stage) In 99/9, FC Barcelona were the reigning European Champion Clubs' Cup holders and were beaten on aggregate in the second round by PFC CSKA Moskva. Alessandro Costacurta set the UEFA Champions League oldest player record against AEK Athens FC on Matchday of the /7 season at years and days, 9 days older than previous record holder, Club Brugge KV goalkeeper Dany Verlinden when he played the full 9 minutes against AFC Ajax on 9 December. Laurent Blanc is the oldest player to score in the competition, aged years and 9 days having found the net for Manchester United FC in their defeat of Olympiacos CFP on October. Celestine Babayaro is the youngest player to have appeared in the UEFA Champions League. He was years and 87 days when he started for RSC Anderlecht against FC Steaua Bucuresti on November 99. He was then sent off in the 7th minute. In /7, PFC Levski Sofia joined. FC Košice in being the only team to have played in the UEFA Champions League and never picked up a point. The Slovakian side have not returned to the competition since losing all six games in their only campaign to date in 997/98. Only five other teams have ever gone through a single group stage campaign without picking up a point namely SK Rapid Wien (/), RSC Anderlecht (/), FC Spartak Moskva and Bayer Leverkusen (/, first and second group stage respectively) and Fenerbahçe SK (/, first group stage). Levski also conceded 7 goals in their six outings last term, just two short of the record number let in during a group stage set by Ferencvárosi TC (9) in the 99/9 campaign. Before their win against Sporting Clube de Portugal on Matchday of the /7 campaign, FC Spartak Moskva went games without a win in the competition, surpassing the unwanted record set by AEK Athens FC on Matchday of the same campaign. The lowest total for a team qualifying from the group stage is seven points. The first to do it, since three points for a win was introduced in 99/9, were Legia Warszawa that same season before Bayer Leverkusen managed it in 999/ and Liverpool FC in /. FC Lokomotiv Moskva and eventual finalists Juventus both progressed with seven points in /, a feat achieved by Rangers FC and Werder Bremen in /. UEFA Champions League: Did you know? Domestic champions: This season's competition features domestic league winners from last season, but only Group G of the eight groups features four domestic titleholders namely PSV Eindhoven, FC Internazionale Milano, Fenerbahçe SK and PFC CSKA Moskva. Alongside the champions, there are ten runnersup and six thirdplaced finishers. The holders AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Valencia CF are the only clubs in the group stage to have finished in fourth place in their domestic league championship. Consecutive participations: This season, have extended their consecutive participation in the UEFA Champions League to, a record in the competition. PSV Eindhoven, Olympiacos CFP and Real Madrid CF are making their eleventh consecutive appearances, one ahead of Arsenal FC. Last updated ::CET Competition facts

17 Sporting Clube de Portugal Knockout streak: In qualifying for the /7 knockout stage, Real Madrid CF surpassed 's record of nine consecutive seasons (which ended in /) in advancing past the group stage. Madrid have featured in the knockout phase every time since the 99/97 campaign. Madrid, have won the competition three times in the last ten years while they advanced as far as the semifinals twice and the quarterfinals twice. However, in the last three seasons their interest in the competition has ended at the first knockout round. European return: Of all clubs, S.S. Lazio, Rosenborg BK and VfB Stuttgart did not participate in a UEFA club competition during the /7 season. Past masters: Six clubs competing in the 7/8 UEFA Champions League were involved in the competition when it started during the 99/9 season. Olympique de Marseille were champions, beating AC Milan in the final, while PSV Eindhoven, PFC CSKA Moskva, FC Porto and Rangers FC all participated in the group stage. In addition, VfB Stuttgart, AEK Athens FC and FC Barcelona were knocked out in the two rounds preceding the group stage that marked the competition proper. Long road for debutants: Six clubs have advanced to the group stage from the European Champion Clubs' Cup second qualifying round including one of this season's two debutants, SK Slavia Praha. They are joined by Rangers, FC Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Steaua Bucuresti, Beşiktaş JK and Rosenborg as clubs who had to play four matches to claim their place in the group stage of the competition. A debutant has not won the competition since Juventus in 99/9, the Italian side becoming the third club to achieve this following Olympique de Marseille (99/9, first UEFA Champions League final) and AFC Ajax (99/9). Sevilla FC join Slavia in competing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time, although both clubs have previous experience of the European Champion Clubs' Cup. No qualifiers: Of the clubs involved in the group stage, only AS Roma and FC Schalke have yet to play a qualifying round match in order to reach the UEFA Champions League. Roma are making their fifth appearance in the competition, Schalke their third. Pedigree: Four of the former winners of the competition since it included a group stage element from the 99/9 season are not participating in this season's UEFA Champions League, namely AFC Ajax (99/9), Juventus (99/9), BV Borussia Dortmund (99/97) and FC Bayern München (/). Of the last ten winners of the competition, Real Madrid CF (three),, AC Milan (two), FC Porto, Liverpool FC and FC Barcelona, only FC Bayern München are not involved. Only two winners from the last ten UEFA Cup finals are not involved in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage, namely Parma FC (998/99) and Feyenoord (/). Liverpool and Porto have won both competitions in the past decade, while the remaining UEFA Cup winners in that time are FC Internazionale Milano, Galatasaray SK, Valencia CF, PFC CSKA Moskva and Sevilla FC (two). UEFA Champions League: Alltime records Biggest wins 7: Juventus v Olympiacos CFP (..) 7: v AS Roma (..7) : Olympique de Marseille v PFC CSKA Moskva (7..99) : Leeds United AFC v Beşiktaş JK (.9.) : Real Madrid CF v KRC Genk (.9.) Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Most goals in a game 8: AS Monaco FC v RC Deportivo La Coruña (..) 7: Paris SaintGermain FC v Rosenborg BK (..) 7: Olympique Lyonnais v Werder Bremen (8..) Only one team has scored more than five goals in an away game,, winning at Brøndby IF in 998/99. Last updated ::CET Competition facts

18 Sporting Clube de Portugal Leading scorer in a season : Ruud van Nistelrooy (, /) Kaká finished as top scorer in /7 with ten goals for AC Milan. Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Four goals in a match Marco van Basten (AC Milan IFK Göteborg,..99) Simone Inzaghi (S.S. Lazio Olympique de Marseille,..) Dado Pršo (AS Monaco FC 8 RC Deportivo La Coruña,..) Ruud van Nistelrooy ( AC Sparta Praha,..) Andriy Shevchenko (Fenerbahçe SK AC Milan,..) Of these fourgoal hauls, Dado Pršo's against Deportivo was the quickest. He scored his first goal minutes into the game and his fourth just minutes later. Fastest goal in a match. secs: Roy Makaay (FC Bayern München Real Madrid CF, 7..).7 secs: Gilberto (PSV Eindoven Arsenal FC,.9.). secs: Alessandro Del Piero ( Juventus,..997). secs: Clarence Seedorf (FC Schalke AC Milan, 8.9.). secs: Marek Kincl (Club Brugge KV SK Rapid Wien,..) Fastest hattricks 9 mins: Mike Newell (Blackburn Rovers FC Rosenborg BK,..99) 9 mins: Marco Simone (Rosenborg BK AC Milan,.9.99) 9 mins: Dado Pršo (AS Monaco FC 8 RC Deportivo La Coruña,..) mins: Sigurd Rushfeldt (Rosenborg BK Galatasaray SK,..998) mins: Simone Inzaghi (S.S. Lazio Olympique de Marseille,..) Youngest players to score 7 years, 9 days: Peter Oforiquaye (Rosenborg BK Olympiacos CFP,..997) 7 years, 8 days: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal FC Rosenborg BK, 7..) 7 years, days: Martin Klein (Panathinaikos FC AC Sparta Praha, 7..) 7 years, days: Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyonnais Rosenborg BK,..) 8 years, days: Sammy Kuffour (FC Bayern München FC Spartak Moskva,..99) 8 years, 7 days: Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv FC Bayern München, 7..99) Peter Oforiquaye became the youngest player to score, but Celestine Babayaro is still the youngest to appear, having begun RSC Anderlecht's game against FC Steaua Bucuresti on November 99, aged years and 87 days. Appearances: UEFA Champions League Note: This list considers group stage to final only; 8 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF) 7 Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid CF) Paolo Maldini (AC Milan) David Beckham (, Real Madrid CF) Oliver Kahn (FC Bayern München) 98 Gary Neville () 97 Luís Figo (FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, FC Internazionale Milano) 9 Ryan Giggs () 9 Paul Scholes () 9 Clarence Seedorf (AFC Ajax, Real Madrid CF, AC Milan) 89 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC) 8 Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC) Goals: UEFA Champions League Last updated ::CET Competition facts

19 Sporting Clube de Portugal Raúl González (Real Madrid CF) 9 Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven,, Real Madrid CF) Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC) Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC) 8 Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus, AC Milan) 7 Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) Appearances: UEFA club competition 8 Paolo Maldini (AC Milan) Luís Figo (Sporting, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, FC Internazionale Milano) Oliver Kahn (Karslruher SC, FC Bayern München) Frank de Boer (AFC Ajax, FC Barcelona, Galatasaray SK) 7 KarlHeinz Rummenigge (FC Bayern München, FC Internazionale Milano, Servette FC) Clarence Seedorf (AFC Ajax, UC Sampdoria, Real Madrid CF, FC Internazionale Milano, AC Milan) Zinédine Zidane (AS Cannes, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid CF) Alessandro Costacurta (AC Milan) Phillip Cocu (SBV Vitesse, PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona) 9 Roberto Carlos (FC Internazionale Milano, Real Madrid CF, Fenerbahçe SK) Goals: UEFA club competition Gerd Müller (FC Bayern München) 9 Filippo Inzaghi (Parma FC, Juventus, AC Milan) 9 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC) 8 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF) Eusébio (SL Benfica) Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven,, Real Madrid CF) Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid CF) Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Juventus, Arsenal FC) Henrik Larsson (Feyenoord, Celtic FC, FC Barcelona,, Helsingborgs IF) 7 Carlos Santillana (Real Madrid CF) Goals: UEFA Champions League/European Champion Clubs' Cup Note: This list considers the alltime goalscorers list in both competitions including all qualifying round matches. Raúl González (Real Madrid CF) Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC) Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven,, Real Madrid CF) 9 Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid CF) 7 Eusébio (SL Benfica) Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC) Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus, AC Milan) Last updated:.9.7 Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Last updated ::CET Competition facts

20 Sporting Clube de Portugal Team facts Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Sporting Clube de Portugal UEFA club competition milestones Of Portugal's 'big three', Sporting are the only club never to have won the European Champion Clubs' Cup. They did lift the 9/ UEFA Cup Winners' Cup though, with a aggregate win against MTK Budapest. Sporting's most recent shot at European success came in the / UEFA Cup, when they got all the way to the final at their own Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon only to lose to PFC CSKA Moskva. Their best European Cup run came in reaching the 98/8 quarterfinals but they lost on aggregate to Real Sociedad de Fútbol despite winning the first leg at home. UEFA Champions League milestones All three of the club's previous campaigns in 997/98, / and /7 have ended in the group stage. UEFA club competition honours UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 9/ Tenyear record /7: UEFA Champions League group stage /: UEFA Cup first round (having transferred from European Champion Clubs' Cup third qualifying round) /: UEFA Cup runnersup /: UEFA Cup second round /: UEFA Cup first round (having transferred from European Champion Clubs' Cup third qualifying round) /: UEFA Cup third round /: UEFA Champions League first group stage 999/: UEFA Cup first round 998/99: UEFA Cup first round 997/98: UEFA Champions League group stage /7 season Domestic record: Sporting again finished second to champions FC Porto, but this time they were just a point behind rather than seven adrift, as they had been in /. They were also a point ahead of thirdplaced SL Benfica and had the satisfaction of winning the Portuguese Cup for the th time with a defeat of CF Os Belenenses. European record: Sporting failed to shine in Group B, winning just one fixture as they finished bottom of the section. That success came on Matchday, a home defeat of FC Internazionale Milano, who won by the same scoreline in the return contest. Sporting also had a draw and a defeat against both FC Spartak Moskva and FC Bayern München. Key facts UEFA club competition Pld: 9 W: 8 D: L: 7 GF: 9 GA: UEFA Champions League (group stage to final) Pld: 8 W: D: L: GF: 7 GA: European Champion Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions League Pld: W: D: L: 7 GF: GA: 8 Last updated ::CET Team facts

21 Sporting Clube de Portugal Records UEFA club competition Biggest win : Sporting Clube de Portugal v APOEL FC..9, European Champion Clubs' Cup first round first leg Wednesday 9 September 7.CET Biggest home win : Sporting Clube de Portugal v APOEL FC (see above for details) Biggest away win 9: ÍA Akranes v Sporting Clube de Portugal , UEFA Cup first round first leg Heaviest defeat : Celtic FC v Sporting Clube de Portugal..98, UEFA Cup second round second leg : Hibernian FC v Sporting Clube de Portugal , UEFA Cup Winners' Cup first round second leg : Vasas SC v Sporting Clube de Portugal..9, European Champion Clubs' Cup first round first leg Heaviest home defeat : Sporting Clube de Portugal v Gençlerbirligi SK 7.., UEFA Cup second round second leg : Sporting Clube de Portugal v FC Spartak Moskva 7.., UEFA Champions League first group stage Heaviest away defeat : Celtic FC v Sporting Clube de Portugal (see above for details) : Hibernian FC v Sporting Clube de Portugal (see above for details) : Vasas SC v Sporting Clube de Portugal (see above for details) UEFA Champions League (group stage to final only) Biggest win : Sporting Clube de Portugal v AS Monaco FC , UEFA Champions League group stage Biggest home win : Sporting Clube de Portugal v AS Monaco FC (see above for details) Biggest away win No away victories recorded to date in the competition Heaviest defeat : Real Madrid CF v Sporting Clube de Portugal.., UEFA Champions League first group stage Heaviest home defeat : Sporting Clube de Portugal v FC Spartak Moskva (see above for details) Heaviest away defeat : Real Madrid CF v Sporting Clube de Portugal (see above for details) Last updated ::CET Team facts