Football Season Guide

Only the bottom 4 teams had fewer wins than Rio Ave (8). Luckily the team had the league’s equal highest number of draws (12) and this was enough to see them avoid relegation. Only late in the season pulled away from the danger zone, 4 of the 8 wins achieved inside the final 8 rounds. Scored 23 of their 35 league goals in the second half of the campaign. The improvement shown after the winter break brings some reasons for optimism. Jalen Blesa and Tamble scored some vital goals late in the season. They should continue to be the main hope in attack. Lost playmaker Pohlmann and the 2 starting full-backs Richards and Buta this summer. Haven’t signed anybody at full-back yet. Right now there is no natural LB on the roster. The only reliable RB is captain Marios Vrousai. Diogo Bezerra is a natural winger but he can play as an AM if needed. Not scoring as many goals in that role but 4 of his 6 assists last season came when he was used as the number 10. The other area with little depth is the midfield. Only 4 natural CMs. The recent addition of Diogo Nascimento is a strong move though. He is projected to play a key role. Overall Rio Ave look still more like a work in progress and not a complete squad. Only after the transfer activity of the summer finishes will be known better what’s the outlook for the season ahead.