Football Season Guide

‘Algarvios’ had a promising start last season. The squad started with many strong names, as usual, but as the season went on, some of them were either leaving (Beto, Aylton, Fali), or struggling with frequent injuries (Lucas Fernandes, Ewerton, Nakajima), and the team dropped their levels, finishing in 13th position, even if relegation was hardly a possibility at any point. The Summer was very positive for ‘Algarvios’, who managed not only to keep most of the important players from last season, but also add some new important players. Lucas Fernandes had left before last season started, while there are some chances that Portimonense will clinch an extension to Nakajima’s loan contract. Besides those two, important names like goalkeeper Samuel, centre-halves Willyan and Pedrão, and midfielders Ewerton and Carlinhos were thought to have stronger teams interested in buying them, but ‘Alvinegros’ managed to keep them within their ranks for another season. Seck arrived from second division to fill in a gap in the left-back position, uncovered since the departure of Fali Candé in January. In attack, Brayan Rochez is coming after a great season in second division with Nacional, while Yago Cariello impressed during pre-season fixtures. Paulo Sérgio should continue alternating between a 5-2-3 and a 4-3-3. The squad seems to have more options for the long run, with the arrival of very decent options like midfielder Klismahn and Felipe Deni, or defenders Pastor and Guarapuava. Eyes should be turned into Luquinha, who looks ready to have his affirmation season, at 21.