After two great seasons with good results and, most importantly, a trademark culture of positive, pleasant football associated with the club, Rio Ave seemed to continue on that direction with José Gomes at the helm.
Gomes led Rio Ave into a great start. However, a more profitable contract abroad made him leave and Vilacondenses brought Daniel Ramos, a former member of the club, but not the best man to keep Rio Ave’s style.
The departure of Carlos Vinícius and João Schmidt, the important injuries on Gelson Dala and Nélson Monte and the change on the dugout affected the team that went into a sequence of 17 matches with only two victories.
Around March, the January new signings started to pay off. Rúben Semedo and Filipe Augusto were crucial at that stage. But also the return of Nuno Santos from long injury had an immediate impact.
Daniel Ramos, by that time, was finally finding a good balance between his preferred cautious approach and the club’s drive to attack in a passing style. The way Vilacondenses started to play when that balance was found created great expectations about next season.
Keeping Leo Jardim on the squad would be a very smart move as the keeper is clearly a talent that Rio Ave cannot afford to neglect. If Gelson Dala makes a new loan deal and Nuno Santos finally stays out of injuries, Rio Ave may be a force again.
