A record-breaking season for Vilacondenses and a big celebration in the end as the team reached Europa League qualification in the very final minute of the season.
With Carlos Carvalhal at the helm, the team was guaranteed to be back at their traditional attacking and attractive style. Carvalhal was also able to assure high levels of competitiveness.
First half of the season was already a good show of the team’s potential, as Rio Ave finished it just 4 points short from Sporting in the 4th place. However, there was still some irregularity on the team’s overall performances.
Rio Ave was able to be more consistent in the second part, mostly due to a bigger number of options in attack that provided a bigger margin for Carvalhal to adapt to different challenges and change approach from one week to another.
New signing Taremi was the greatest of many good individual performances over the season. The Iranian striker was an immediate hit, but grew over the season and got really close from being top goalscorer in entire league.
Nuno Santos, Piazon and Diego Lopes were excellent support for Taremi in attack. Dala and Musrati were great additions in the winter. Aderllan a true leader at the back. Filipe Augusto found back his best football at Vila do Conde.
Carvalhal won’t stay at the club, so there will be a big decision to make in next few days. Not every coach will suit the team’s very unique spirit.
