Analyzing Marcel Keizer's Sporting

Over the course of this century, Portugal's three giants have dwindled to two, as Benfica and Porto have combined to form a duopoly. Sporting, on the other hand, have failed to win a league title since 2002.

They've come close many times, but they've never managed to hoist the elusive trophy since Mário Jardel fired them home to the promised land 17 seasons ago. However, with Sporting currently just two points off the top, and with new president Frederico Varandas leading the charge since September, and with manager Marcel Keizer getting off to a perfect start since his appointment last month, a new era could be dawning at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Nobody expected Sporting to be in the hunt for the title this season. In fact, some doubted they'd even finish in Europa League spots. After all, 2018 had been a year of turmoil and chaos for the club, and if 2018/19 was expected to be a rebuilding season, if not, a healing season, it certainly wasn't thought to be a year in which Sporting mounted a title challenge.

Between the infamous training complex invasion by angered fans, to the mass exodus which saw Rui Patrício, William Carvalho, and Gelson Martins, among others, terminate their contracts, Sporting looked set for an embarrassing season to follow a tumultuous summer.