Football Season Guide

A last round salvation for Arouca, last season. Arouca presented some interesting football through the campaign and was a pleasant team to follow, but they severely lacked consistency and had many difficult moments on the season. However, the club maintained confidence in Armando Evangelista’s work, and he managed to achieve the main goal and keep Arouca for another season at top flight level. Arouca lost two of their biggest stars: the reliable midfielder Leandro Silva and the very good striker André Silva (Kouassi was already out of the options for a long injury). Full-back Oleques is also an important departure. However, all in all, Arouquenses were able to keep most of the squad, and having players like David Simão, Bukia, Basso and Arsénio for a second consecutive season is an achievement on its own. Bruno Marques will be an “inside” replacement for André Silva, after having already contested the position in some moments during last season. The former Santos striker is a quality player who combines good technique with imponent physique. To replace Leandro Silva, Barcelona graduate Oriol Busquets was brought in. Soro and Sylla are very good additions to midfield as well, but the biggest prospect is the 22-years old Brazilian Vitinho, a creative midfielder arriving from Corinthians youth system. Evangelista can be relieved for not having lost any major name at the back. In goal, things are a bit different, as Victor Braga left and the Uruguayan de Arruabarrena is an unproved talent in European competitive context.