The recent phenomenon of the mid-season January transfer window has just finished its second week for 2009 and as of yet there have been few major signings to occur. Clearly the transfers most worth speaking of so far have been Wayne Bridge leaving Chelsea to join Manchester City, and last week's return ticket of Jermaine Defoe to Tottenham from Portsmouth.
Some unbelievable weather and even less believable comebacks were to set the tone for this week's round of La Primera division. With some great examples of the latter setting up the start of the weekend's fixtures.
Sevilla, first off this week, were away at in-form Deportivo and, after an opening half-hour of relatively few chances, they suddenly found themselves both a goal and a man down. Rodolfo Bodipo's goal on 34 minutes - struck firmly past Palop at near post- was followed by the dismissal of Maresca for flattening Bodipo with his forearm in an attempt to disrupt a Deportivo counter-attack.
Like a prostitute, the Liga Sagres spread its legs over two nights of action at a series of different venues. It started Saturday night with one client on top, finished the night with another there, and spent Sunday night letting someone else climb on top of it. Disgusting!!
All eyes were on the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night as the pick of the weekend’s fixtures also saw the debut of the world’s most marketable player.
David Beckham’s first game for Milan was against AS Roma and the omnipresent fanfare that accompanies brand-Beckham was at its usual fever pitch.
Miguel Veloso starts for Sporting despite being heavily linked with Man City, Tottenham and Arsenal, while Maritimo field a 5-3-2 with Djalma and Baba up front. The Africans have bagged nine between them so far this season.
Sporting haven’t lost in five and could go top with a win here. Liedson and Postiga start up front with eight between them this season.