When Sporting Lisbon arrived in Nottingham, the manager, José Peseiro, spoke modestly at a press conference held in a hotel. "Nottingham Forest is a strong team, and I'll be glad to be able to obtain one point in this match."
This modesty was not only present in that one press conference; it was displayed in various ways. It seemed that Nottingham Forest was indeed a dangerous adversary in Sporting Lisbon's view. The Portuguese did not open their adaptive training to the media when they arrived in Nottingham a few days ahead. This cautious and prudent behavior was not a symbol of strength to the people of Nottingham.
Indeed, today's Sporting Lisbon was not the Sporting Lisbon of yesteryear. The only time they had won a European Championship was forty years ago.
