Boavista ended up in their best league position ever since they were dropped to lower divisions as punishment, early in the current century. That should be enough to give a clue on how positive this season was for Boavisteiros. After having a secured safe position early in the season, Panteras Negras were at one point dreaming about having a spot that would grant them European football in the next season. More importantly, however, was the sign that Boavista is “back for good” to the top half of first league, and is promising to return to their status of the old days when ‘Axadrezados’ were rivaling with the top three teams and even grabbed a title back in 2001.
This season didn’t even start that well for the black and whites. Four defeats in just five games were too bad to handle, and Miguel Leal couldn’t resist. The board replaced him by Jorge Simão, who immediately brought success to the team: a highly promising and motivating home win over big team Benfica. From then and until the end of the first half of the season, Boavista under Jorge Simão management picked the same four defeats as they had during the first five games with Miguel Leal.
The team was on the good tracks, now; the change was obviously a success; and the season was almost safe at that point with Boavista sitting on 9th place, much closer to European spots than to relegation zone. It was then time to build an identity and a consistent idea for the team’s gameplay. The second half of the season’s biggest trademark for Boavista was their bossing performances while playing at home. It was like there were two different teams: a shy and nervous side when playing on the road, much different from a commanding and assertive squad when playing indoors. Boavista collected one – only one! – point as the away team: precisely their very last game on the road against the tough opponents Braga. On the other hand, all home matches were wins except two consecutive draws against Chaves and Moreirense. An impressive 7W-2D-0L record at home, with ‘Boavisteiros’ having scored 16 goals in the nine matches while conceding only five (three of them in the same match).
Midfielder David Simão is clearly the ‘plus-player’ in the current squad. While the group is very solid and consistent, with very few weak spots, but fewer stand outs, the left-footed midfielder was the most influential piece of Jorge Simão’s puzzle. Every time Boavista had to play without the former Paços de Ferreira midfielder, they struggle to have a decent build up, and the connection between the areas was always very poor without him.
Yusupha Njie had a great impact on the team in the final third, after the striker position had been always a shaky spot, particularly after the injury of Bulos. Fábio Espinho was always a good support to David Simão in the middle. And Rossi was the team's safety key at the back.
