Football Season Guide

Estrela had a decent performance on their return to top flight division. Their first half of the season was particularly good, while the second part was a bit slower. However, no one was expecting anything more from Estrela and they deservedly granted a safe place in the end. Injuries were extremely high during the season, especially in centre-half and goalkeeper positions. Filipe Martins will replace Sérgio Vieira at the helm of the team. Martins uses the same 3-4-3 system that Vieira implemented at Estrela, so the team will keep some routines from last season. Martins had a very good job at Casa Pia in recent years, and was unfairly sacked after a slow period, last season. This has been a busy summer at Reboleira, with many players coming in and going out. Captain and defensive leader Kialonda Gaspar is gone without surprises. Important winger Leo Jabá and influential and versatile (but frequently injured) defender Mansur are also gone. On the way in, the biggest name arriving is the former international and European champion Nani. At 37 he proved last season in Turkey that he still have fuel on the tank. Attacking midfielder Alan Ruiz is another veteran arriving for the new season. In goal, not one but two valid options arrived on the market: Meixedo is eager to have first team football after being an eternal reserve at FC Porto, and Serbian Gudzulic arrives with a status of first team contender. At the back, and despite the departure of leader Gaspar, there are some good news with the arrival of Ferro, trying to recover for lost time after being labeled the next big thing at benfica 4 seasons ago, and also the right-back Danilo Veiga, back to Portugal after a great half-season at Gil Vicente, two years ago. In the middle, Aloísio left Cordeiro and Bucca rested and now there will be the promising Daniel Cabral around. In attack, besides Nani, there will be the promising striker Petterson on his first experience outside Brazil. But the main interest point relies on the physical condition of Rodrigo Pinho: if he finally gets cleared from persistant muscle injuries, he can drive Estrela into a good season with his ability to create (and finish) chances.