There is no way to deny it. It was a very traumatic season for Guimarães; one the fans will want to forget sooner rather than later. The recent decent seasons with Pedro Martins at the helm stopped the board from taking drastic decisions earlier in the season, but at one point it was inevitable: there had to be a change in the managerial spot, and highly reputed José Peseiro was brought to the role, without having had a significant improvement on the team, either, which caused the board to announce already that Peseiro won’t continue for the next season.
The first 14 rounds were not so bad. At that time, the highly demanding fans were already upset by the 5 points gap to their arch-rivals Braga at the 4th place. But aside an away heavy defeat to Estoril, Guimarães had had a decent progress until then, only losing in “normal” situations, like when playing the top teams or when picking a narrow, occasional away defeat against Belenenses.
However, things went really bad from then on. The defeat in the Derby against Moreirense set up the tone for the times to come, which continued in the defeat as leitmotiv: Chaves, Porto and Tondela, this one at home.
By the time Guimarães were about to host the most expected match of the season – the visit from Braga –, Guimarães were already twenty points away from their rivals sitting in an uncomfortable 9th position. But the worst, the very worst moment of the season was on that very weekend. A shameful 0-5 defeat to their rivals was something that the fans will never forget nor forgive. Pedro Martins was now very close to the door, and a defeat in the very next match would be the final push.
José Peseiro arrived, and despite a slight improvement, there was not a visible recovery of Guimarães’ standards. Even when winning, Guimarães were seldom dominant and convincing.
The winger Raphinha was probably the only player in the squad to have a definitely good season. The talented attacking player confirmed his quality that had been recognized already in the previous season, and that granted him a contract with big team Sporting, for next season. Paolo Hurtado’s influence on the team is undeniable, but the Peruvian’s season was far from regular, and his importance to the team was mostly noticed when he was absent with injury, as Guimarães struggled to find anyone who could fit in the no. 10 position so well. Pedrão established himself as Guimarães’ rock at the back, but the whole defensive system was very shaky to say the least. His partner in the centre was never the “ideal” one, and Jubal was the least unsatisfying option during the season. There was never a definite full-back option either on the right and on the left side. And even in the goalkeeper position, Douglas and Miguel Silva interchanged as neither of them managed to be fully convincing.
