Football Season Guide

Slow start to the season proved costly. Once Lage took charge in September things improved. The Eagles even had the best record in the league in 2025. This wasn’t enough in the end. Finished 2nd right behind Sporting. Also, split the domestic cups with Sporting – won the League Cup but lost Taca de Portugal’s final. Greek striker Pavlidis had 19 league goals in his first season in Portugal. He’s expected to break the 20-goal mark this year and remains the main hope up front. Turkish winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu also shone in his debut year in Portugal – 11 goals and 11 assists. The duo are expected to be even more productive this season and this guarantees high scoring record. LB Carreras joined Real Madrid. Solid DM Florentino is also expected to leave before August is over. Dahl and Obrador will compete at LB. Already signed Richard Rios and Enzo Barrenechea for Florentino’s role. Big fee was paid for Rios and he’s expected to be the new main DM. Even at his age (37) captain Otamendi remains a reliable CB. His experience will be leaned on again this season. Young GK Trubin kept 13 clean sheets last season, 2nd most in the league, and he is among the top shot-stoppers in Portugal. Coach Lage trusts AM Fredrik Aursnes and gives him complete freedom. Aursnes flourished once Lage took over. More of the same can be expected. Won just 1 title in the last 6 years and this is putting extra pressure on the squad. Anything but the top spot is simply not good enough for the 38-time champions of Portugal.