Football Season Guide

Chapecoense

In


Amaral (Mid, Palmeiras, loan), Niltinho (Att, Sao Caetano, loan), Apodi (Def, Kuban Krasnodar), Douglas Grolli (Def, Cruzeiro, loan), Nathan (Def, Palmeiras, loan), Elias (GK, Juventude, loan), Artur Moraes (GK, Osmanlispor), Luiz Otávio (Def, Luverdense, loan), Lucas Marques (Mid, Internacional), Arthur (Att, Londria, loan), Reinaldo (Def, Sao Paulo, loan), Rossi (Mid, Goias), Diego Renan (Def, Cruzeiro), Tulio de Melo (Att, Sport Recife), Osman (Mid, Luverdense, loan), Wellington Paulista (Att, Fluminense, loan), Luiz Antônio (Mid, Flamengo, loan), João Pedro (Def, Palmerias, loan), Dodo (Mid, Atletico Mineiro, loan), Fabrício Bruno (Def, Cruzeiro, loan), Nádson (Mid, Parana), Luiz Felipe (GK, Brusque), Emilio Zeballos (Def, Defensor, loan), Moises (Mid, Gremio, loan), Moisés Ribei

Out


Hyoran (Mid, Palmeiras), Marcelo Boeck (GK, Fortaleza) Rafael Lima (Def, America), Demerson (Def, Sarawak),Shaylon (Mid, Sao Paulo, loan), Cláudio Winck (Def, Internacional, end of loan), Alejandro Martinuccio (Att, released),

Following the tragic plane crash which claimed the lives of 71 people and 19 members of the Chapecoense squad, this club will never be the same again. Chapecoense had put together an excellent campaign last year, which was the reason why they were travelling to Colombia for the Copa Sudamericana final. Over the off-season, they have had to build an entire new squad from scratch and bring in a new coach, with the veteran Vagner Mancini the man to take over. Some talented players have been signed, most notably the striker Wellington Paulista, midfielder Luiz Antônio and full-backs Apodi and Reinaldo. Yet it must be kept in mind that this is a thrown together team which has never played a full season together before and their performances in the Santa Catarina State Championship and the Copa Libertadores have been very mixed. One benefit for Chapecoense as they navigate this tricky season will be their home support. The Arena Condá has always been a boost for them, but the way the community has come together following last November’s tragedy means the backing of the players should be as passionate as ever before and no away team will look forward to this match where they’ll have to play the role of spoilsports.

Target


Given their circumstances, the realistic objective for Chapecoense in 2017 will be to finish above the relegation zone. It remains to be seen just how well this team can play, but they’ll have a dedicated home support and that could prove key.