Football Season Guide

Os Axadrezados are slowly getting back to where they were around 15 years ago when they were considered part of the "Big 4" in the Portuguese league. Last season, they finished in the top half of the table and the fans are eager to see Boavista back in European competition. Therefore, aiming for a top 6 spot in the table should be the board's idea for the season. The way the club moved in the transfer market seems to suggest that they do have more ambition this year. There were only two significant players who left the club: centre-half Lucas Tagliapietra and striker Andre Schembri, who was already losing his place in the first team ever since powerhouse Ivan Bulos arrived at the club. On the way in, there was a considerable number of players signing for Os Axadrezados. While Vagner renewed his loan contract, Boavista signed two more goalkeepers that will all enter in a three way battle for that one spot in goal. Raphael Spiegel, coming from English football, might have the advantage over the other two. A relatively big name arrived in defence. Stéphane Sparagna was hailed as one of the most promising players in Ligue 1 a couple of seasons ago and he will be looking to get back that hype around him. The fact that Boavista were able to sign such a player shows the way the club is planning for this season. The defensive area seems to be the one in which the board focused the most, with Robson arriving from Bahia and Raphael Rossi from Swindon. Vítor Bruno and Mateus are safe bets after good respective seasons in the Portuguese league. Leonardo Ruiz is also a promising talent that keeps failing to show his true potential. Maybe this year, at Estádio do Bessa, he can finally live up to the hype. The biggest blow for the team, however, is the fact that Iuri Medeiros is leaving to re-join Sporting, after a year on loan at the club. He was the biggest talent of last season and should be very hard to replace.