is there any reason why this club is going backwards fast?

They had a small problem inside the club. They were actually down in the relegation zone when half of the season was gone. This was due to some serious problems regarding their president, and in addition, the manager wasn't doing his work properly, which resulted in Sporting spending their time far lower down than usual.

The manager eventually got fired, and there was a new presidential election. They've now got a new manager and president, both doing a good job.

Right now, they're doing well, as said, and there's no real crisis there I believe. :p Maybe there was, but they clearly did the right thing by replacing the manager and president. They're on a good track right now and are fighting for the 6th place (usually they're within the top four), which is the last Europa League spot in the league.

By the way, why did you wonder, Ajax?

I mean, it's not like they're the best club in Portugal. Certainly among the top four, but clubs have their downfalls, don't they? Just like Inter, Newcastle and in this case, Sporting.

I remember seeing like you said a while back they werein relegation zone and thinking then how the hell! Seeing you posting yesterday about Porto v Benfica reminded me of what happened to the third giant force in your league and looking last night both Porto and benfica still have more than double there points. I hope they can get EL and then continue comeback. How does there newish ground compare to dragao and stadium of light? Braga has replaced sporting it seems. Is bragas new stadium good?

Yea, I totally get it if you saw the table a while ago when they were in serious trouble. They're getting there now, and I, too, hope they'll get the last Europa League spot and rise till next season.

Their stadium, Estádio José Alvalade, seats over 50 000 people, and is by far the third most beautiful stadium in Portugal. However, I don't think it's as nice as ours or the Luz. ;)

As for Braga, yes, they've kind of replaced Sporting in recent years. Sporting hasn't been in the Champions League for a while now as they haven't managed to get that 3rd place. Braga's stadium is kind of beloved by a lot of football fans. Search it on Google, you'll be surprised.

Are you referring to the one with the mountain behind the goal? I thought they built a new one?

I'm referring to Estádio AXA, yes. The one which is carved into the face of the Monte Castro quarry, and therefore called 'The Quarry'. I don't think they ever built a new one, unless it is an ongoing process. Was there any specific stadium you thought about?

I just seem to remember they had a new one for some reason. Perhaps it is being built. I will research for The Stadium Thread :)

In fact no current ground was built in 2003 so is already new. Holds 30,000 so probably is just fine for braga. I just always assumed that altho being built into a mountain was romantic, it might mean the ground was unsuitable and ancient. Obviously not the case tho.

I don't think they've had a problem with it, no -- at least not so far! :) Like you mention, it holds 30 000, which is a good amount considering Braga's size of a club. You could look at the stadium and say: "Woah, that is one cool arena indeed, how much does it hold? 5000 people?" It sure doesn't look like it holds 30 000!

Though, I think Braga 'deserve' even more considering there are three or four other clubs in Portugal (not counting the big three) that have even greater capacity, whereas Braga is definitely the better club out of them at the moment. But that's easier said than done, hehe. If they continue their great work, they'll grow as a club.