Football Season Guide

Achieved top 8 finish but had major issues defensively. Only last-place AVS conceded more than Arouca’s 64 goals last season. Yet good forward actions and plenty of luck helped them to secure 12 wins D6 L16. Dreadful early in the season. Much better since the turn of the year and this was what saved them. Had the 2nd lowest attendance in the entire top flight last season. Often the lack of atmosphere at home cost them points. Used exclusively 4-2-3-1 formation last season. The manager loves this shape and it should be retained. Lost their 2 main options at LB this summer. Both Dante and Kuipers left. Right now don’t have a natural LB on the roster. This could be an issue. Actively searching for a signing for the role. Have only 25 players on the roster right now. The smallest squad in the top flight so the depth is not good. Will continue to rely on transition attacks. Having 3 fast East Asians in the ranks – Fukui, Lee and as of this summer Park – helps to execute these fast breaks well. If Fukui continues to be as impactful as he was last season in midfield Arouca will have a shot of survival again. That said the defensive line looks weaker and it was already pretty bad last term.