Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published Friday, February 27, 2026, 5:32 p.m. / Updated Friday, February 27, 2026, 5:33 p.m.
Former Portuguese midfielder Maniche (48) is expecting a big surprise in the current Champions League season.
Maniche was invited by UEFA to participate in the Europa League target draw. He also spoke about the UEFA Champions League draw.
Sporting, for whom he played between 2010 and 2011, fell to Bodo/Glimt, a team that continues to surprise. They just eliminated Inter (5-2 on aggregate) and have already beaten Manchester City and Atletico Madrid this year alone.
Maniche: “Sporting can be the surprise of the Champions League”
“It won't be easy with Bodo, especially since they have already beaten very strong clubs. It's complicated because they have a synthetic pitch and a stadium with a small capacity. Playing against teams who have no pressure to win this competition becomes much more difficult.
Obviously, Sporting is the favorite, it has a better team, more valuable players”, he began, risking to say that the “lions” can even win the final, which will take place in Budapest:
“I think Sporting can make history here. They can be the 'outsider' and the big surprise of this season, like FC Porto was in 2004.”
I think he got lucky with the draw and will have to prepare the mindset of the fans who might think Sporting will go through easily. A strategy of communication and humility is needed here, in the sense that it is a difficult team, especially at home.
So far, many teams that have faced Bodo/Glimt have not prepared or given it due importance, they did not go one or two days in advance to prepare for the environment or temperature.
– Sleeves
