Football Season Guide

Coming from the bext season in the club's history. Arouca finished 5th in last season, and played a highly praised football. Besides, 'Arouquenses' reached the semi-finals of Taça da Liga, which was also a very good achievement. Coach Armando Evangelista was given the chance to lead a team in Brazil, after his great job at Arouca. To replace him, Arouca brought Daniel Ramos, who failed to impress on his latest jobs in the country. Ramos mentioned the chance to implement a back-3 system, as an alternative to the established 4-2-3-1 or even as the main tactical option. Despite the returns of strong holding midfielder Kouassi and the flamboyant winger Bukia, Arouca looks weaker for the new season, as there has been three major departures that will be hard to replace: defensive leader and captain João Basso, playmaker Alan Ruiz and skillful winger Antony. The excellent De Arruabarrena will remain in goal, well supported by the João Valido and Thiago Rodrigues, both very reliable options. With Basso leaving, as well as the reserve Velazquez, it's clear that Arouca will need at least a new CB for the new season. Opoku and Galovic form a reliable pair, but they need competition. Mateus Quaresma is more and more a reference on the team, in the left channel. In midfield, David Simão remains the reference, both technical and tactical, but he showed signs of less energy, last season. Kouassi should be a major addition, and Vitinho will hope to get rid of injuries so that he can provide creativity to an otherwise little refined midfield. Rafa Mujica will remain the main source for goals, while the fans are expectant over the two new Spaniards Cristo and Jason. Even being a liability in tactical terms and in decision making, Bukia is expected to be the biggest weapon of the team for the new season. One should also keep an eye to the highly versatile Morlaye Sylla.