Football Season Guide

Barely survived last season. Only 6 league wins D12 L16 and just 31 goals scored in 34 rounds saw Casa Pia finish 16th and only 2 points above direct relegation. This led to a survival playoff vs Torreense. Drew 0-0 in the 1st leg before winning 2-0 at home and staying in the top flight. Changed 2 managers during the course of this difficult campaign. Pereira was sacked in October, his replacement Brandao lost his job at the start of January. Veteran Alvaro Pacheco improved the displays when he took over. Late in the season Casa Pia earned 20 of their 30 points. Pacheco left for health reasons at the end of the season. Still, some continuity can be expected as his long-serving assistant Filipe Coelho is now given a shot at his first managerial job. On paper the starting 11 should be pretty strong. Sequeira is widely regarded as 1 of the top 10 GKs in the league. Goulart, David Sousa and Rocha are all solid CBs, even if captain Fonte (42) finally decided to retire. Remain light on options at full-back. That said Pacheco brought in the winter young Rosas and he likes him a lot. If he develops well he could be in the running for Breakthrough Player of the Season. Another winter signing made by Pacheco Ofori will have new teammates in midfield. Loaned in Selvi Clua, promised his parent club he will be a regular starter. The other new CM Gabi lacks top flight experience. This is the area with least depth so more new arrivals in midfield this summer are to be expected. Up front the top scorer for the past 2 seasons Cassiano is now 37. With that in mind added 2 new younger CFs. Both Araujo and Jatta should start the season as supporting options. Either of them could finish the year as the primary option in attack though.