Football Season Guide

América is coming from two consecutive safe seasons in Série A. The team from Minas Gerais returned to top flight in 2021 and managed to be a solid side in the league, finishing 8th and 10th in the last two seasons, and showing great consistency and competitiveness in the process. América is having a very good 2023 year, so far: Coelho reached Mineirão's final, this season, after defeating big rivals Cruzeiro in the semi-finals, and picked a big home win in the first match of Copa Sul-Americana against Peñarol. Vágner Mancini is a highly respected name among América's supporters. Mancini returned to América in the middle of last season, after a highly successful first spell in 2021. Mancini likes to employ a dynamic 4-3-3, preferably with midfielders that can be good with and without the ball. América had a very quiet transfer market in 2023. There hasn't been any significant departure; on the way in, left-back Nicolas and the highly versatile Dada Belmote are the strongest names for the new season. Having kept practically the same squad of last season is the biggest weapon for the campaign. Goalkeeper Cavichioli and centre-halves Maidana and Éder provide the team a strong back line, and their midfield trio is the team's strongest link. There are concerns about the advanced age of many important players, especially in midfield and attack: Juninho (35), Alê (32), Aloísio (34) and Caivchioli (36) are all important first options for Mancini. Despite his advanced age, Juninho remains a highly important unit in midfield, very influential in both defensive and attacking tasks. Benitez and Matheusinho are the sources for creativity, but they are both prone to injuries and usually inconsistent throughout the season.