After such a storm during the summer that ended in a scission in the club, the “new” team Belenenses SAD was left without their home stadium and more than half of their already diminutive fan base.
Still, Silas brought Belenenses into excelling during a good part of the season, having to answer to several problems like the winter departures key players. A top half position was surely a successful achievement.
Azuis often presented an attractive attacking football with three at the back, attacking wing-backs in Diogo Viana and Reinildo/Zakarya and creative midfielders such as Lucca and Ljujic.
However, the limitations of the squad were evident when some important players were missing, causing some difficult moments after January transfer and in the final rounds.
The big suspension of Keita, the injuries on Henrique Almeida and Tiago Caeiro and the departure of Fredy led to the “discovery” of Kikas, a talent that was hidden in lower divisions and has it all to become a goalscoring reference for future seasons.
‘Azuis’ should have a less problematic season next year, if they build and improve on what they already have.
Muriel was a rock in goal (never mind the horrible 20 minutes against Sporting), André Santos a pendulum in midfield and Licá kept the quality in attack with the different partners along the season.
While Fredy was the biggest talent before leaving, it was Eduardo Henrique the standout for the season and is no wonder that bigger clubs are paying attention already.
