Football Season Guide

Liga
Portugal
Liga
2016/2017
FC Arouca
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FC Arouca

In


André Santos (mid)(Metz), Anderson Luís (def)(Estoril), Bruno Lopes (att)(Criciúma), Rafael Crivellaro (Mid)(Wisla Krakow), Anderson Pico (def)(Flamengo), Vítor Costa (def)(Inter de Lages), Marlon de Jesus (att)(Monterrey, on loan), Sancidino Silva (att)(Benfica, on loan)

Out


Pintassilgo (sp)(mid)(Sporting da Covilhã), David Simão (sp)(mid)(CSKA Sofia), Lucas Lima (r)(def)(Nantes), Hugo Monteiro (sp)(mid)(Anadia), Roberto (sp)(att)(Moreirense, on loan), Idrissa Coulibaly (sp)(def)(Released), Emiliano Albín (sp)(def)(Released), Jaílson (sp)(def)(Anápolis), Ivo Rodrigues (r)(mid)(Porto, return from loan), Maurides (r)(att)(Internacional, return from loan)

Arouca had a dream season last year, ending in fifth and qualifying for the European competition for the first time in the club’s history. They are far from being a traditional Top Tier team in Portugal, but the good work done by Lito Vidigal is paying off. If one thought that last season was just a fluke, Arouca just qualified for the Europa League’s play-off by knocking out the Dutch side Heracles. They will face a powerful team: Greek side Olympiacos, but even if they don’t manage to get into the regular Europa League season, it was already a huge deal for the club that they got to play an international official competition this season. Arouca didn’t lose many important players from last season. Key players like goalkeeper Braccali and Attacker Mateus will be continuing wearing the Yellow Shirt. Midfielder David Simão, winger Ivo Rodrigues and Brazilian Striker Maurides are gone, now, but, on the other hand, former Sporting and Metz midfielder André Santos will be joining the team, while there are some expectations related with what will Sancidino be able to do in this one year loan spell at the northern club. Brazilian Bruno Lopes and Mexican Marlon de Jesus are promising goals, although the first choice for the striker position, closely supported by Mateus, will be last season’s best scorer Walter Gonzales.

Target


Repeating last season’s fifth place would be very nice for the small club although, realistically, any place in the first half of the table would already mean a very positive season. Normally, avoiding relegation would be the minimum goal for such a team, but getting to start the season competing in Europa League will surely give the team a boost to grant a safe position very early in the campaign.