Football Season Guide

The sensation of last season, by a mile, Paços had such an amazing run in 2020-21 that they granted their first ever presence in European competitions. Coach Pepa made the most of a small but quality group. The trio in midfield (Bruno Costa, Eustáquio, Luiz Carlos) was the highlight of 'Castores'. Nuno Santos arrived on loan from Benfica after a good but slightly irregular season with Boavista with the difficult task of replacing last season's creative midfielder Bruno Costa. João Vigário will be a like for like replacement for Rebocho on the left-back position. Denilson and Juan Delgado are good additions for attack, but will need to do better than their last spell on the country to get a regular presence in the starting XI. The biggest change will be on the dugout: Pepa's great work got him a better contract in Guimarães, and Jorge Simão was brought in to replace him. Simão spent two seasons abroad, and there's some expectations to see if he improved his coaching style. Eustáquio has been linked with a move to Braga and Diaby remains under treatment for the injury picked early last season. If 'Castores' start the season without the two, they will be significantly weaker.