THE COMMON DENOMINATORIn 2018, when Sporting failed to qualify for the Champions League on the final matchday after an unexpected defeat to Marítimo on the road, the Verde e Brancos were in crisis. Three years later, when that same Sporting side won the Portuguese league title for the first time in 19 years, even the fans could hardly believe it. The man who led them there was Rúben Amorim. Just over a month ago, AC Milan also missed out on Champions League qualification. It was a