IT has been the scene of European football triumphs from Celtic in 1967 to the all-powerful Bayern Munich less than a month ago.
Now, there’s hope in the Aberdeen ranks they could soon be added to the list of Lisbon folklore as they set off on their own continental adventure.
That’s if they can get past Viking FK in Thursday’s Europa League clash, however, with the Norwegians well into their 2020 season and hosting the Dons off the back of an impressive 5-3 win against high-flying Kristiansund.
READ MORE: Aberdeen 1-0 Kilmarnock: Ross McCrorie winner downs Ayrshire side
One man who won’t be underestimating Aberdeen’s hosts is Tommie Hoban, the defender, who, fresh from an impressive display in his side’s own victory on Saturday, warned his team-mates to focus on the task at hand.
If the Dons are to get the mouthwatering chance to face Sporting - where the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo shot to stardom - in the third qualifying round, Hoban knows they will have to build on the win over Kilmarnock.
“Everyone has seen the draw,” Hoban, 26, said. “It will be a tough game in Norway on Thursday and they are halfway through their season already.
“They will be right into it and it’s going to be a tough game and then the one after is very exciting for everyone.
“If we can win on Thursday and get a trip to Portugal, that will be incredible.
“There’s no reason why we can’t get two wins in those games and then be one win away from the group stages.
“I really do believe it is a strong squad and in every position there is so much competition. That’s what you need to have a successful team.
“We want to focus on the Norwegian game first as Viking are going to be very tough opposition. But we know it will be a very tough game if we can get through.”
Another clean sheet would certainly help the Dons cause on Thursday and they picked up their fourth in just six games this season when they saw off Alex Dyer’s Ayrshire men.
Hoban was key to that, his quick thinking the perfect foil to the considerable bulk of Scott McKenna and Andy Considine at the heart of Derek McInnes’ impressive Aberdeen.
The trio put their bodies on the line to defend a lead born out of the brilliance of the Dons attack.
Ryan Hedges, Marley Watkins, and Scott Wright danced across the Pittodrie park at will during the opening 45 and all three played a part in the game’s only goal; the irony being a defensive midfielder got the final touch.
When Wright and Watkins combined beautifully on the left, it was the former who found the rampaging Ross McCrorie on the edge of the box and his finish into Danny Rodger’s bottom corner was something his attacking team-mates would have been proud of.
Hoban certainly was and he is as smitten as anyone with Aberdeen’s sudden flair in the final third.
“We have conceded two now in the season and that is very impressive,” the former Watford man said. “As a defender, that’s the most important thing and we are all very happy with it.
“Hopefully we can now take that into Thursday.
“Everyone can see the attacking quality we have in the side and we are always going to get goals. There is more to come from us.
“We have a solid platform at the back and hopefully we can take that into Europe and have a successful season.”
For Kilmarnock, there’s less glamour ahead but they can take plenty of positives from a game in which they threatened to upset the 300 Aberdeen fans who had been allowed back into the ground for the first time this season.
McKenna was forced to divert over his own bar and Joe Lewis looked sharp to keep out a Greg Kiltie effort.
It just wasn’t to be for Killie and the little winger was already looking forward to a chance to make things right when they welcome Hamilton Accies this weekend.
Kiltie said: “On reflection, we were disappointed with the way the game went. We thought we were on top in the second-half.
“We had big chances with crosses in the box. We just need to move on and go to next week.
“It’s nice to get fans back in and it’s been a bit weird without them, especially when the season kicked off. You never get used to an empty stadium.
“Away from home it is always difficult. When you come up here and are disappointed then it’s a good thing.”
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