Football Season Guide

23-24 was a highly successful season for Leões, as they finished first with some comfort and entire justice. Sporting was by far the most regular team on the season and a deserved winner. Leões lost the final of Portuguese Cup in the end of the season to rivals Porto, reached semi-finals and Taça da Liga and reached the last-16 round of Europa League. Rúben Amorim is expected to keep his trademark 3-4-2-1 formation for the next season, but the leader of yesteryears, Seba Coates. The captain is leaving after 8 seasons leading Sporting's defence. Belgian international Debast arrived for the back and that will allow Gonçalo Inácio to be the new defensive boss in a more centralized position. That, of course, Inácio doesn't leave, as he is highly sought in the summer market. The biggest new aspect in defence is, however, the goalkeeper Kovacevic. His footwork ability is a great improvement for the new season. Matheus Fernandes returns from a highly positive loan period at Estoril and is a great new option to the established Hjulmand-Morita society in the middle, with Bragança also an important player in the position. Pedro 'Pote' Gonçalves won't need to be used as midfielder as much as in last season. The no. 8 will for with Trincão an excellent supporting duo to the striker, with Marcus Edwards as a dream substitute to any coach. Paulinho left, but the Greek Ioannidis is about to arrive. The main question for the new season relates with the star striker Gyokeres. If the Swedish is rests at Alvalade, then Sporting has everything to be a strong candidate to repeat the title. Gyokeres is the absolute superlative player on the squad and it's vital that Sporting can keep him for one more year. With the departure of Coates, Neto, Paulinho and Adan (Esgaio may leave as well), Sporting looks really young and inexperience might be an issue throughout the season.