Football Season Guide

Marítimo was close to relegation, last season, in what was the club's worst season since 1985 when they returned to Primeira Liga for good. Madeirenses were never this close to relegation. Spanish coach Júlio Velazquez managed to give Marítimo a decent ending last season, having saved them from relegation, and now will try to get 'Insulares' back to a more respectable position after a couple of very disappointing years. There was quite a reformulation of the squad, this summer. All 3 goalkeepers left, as well as Renê Santos, Kerkez and Hermes in defence, Jean Irmer, Guitane and possibly Bambock in the middle, and star striker Rodrigo Pinho in attack. Skillful Jorge Correa should also leave. Former Guimarães Miguel Silva should be the new goalkeeper, with Vitor Eudes coming from Cruzeiro in Brazil as the backup. None have proved themselves at the level that both Amir and Charles showed at the club, in recent years. In defense there are more options, as only the strong Renê Santos is a real down from last season, and the promising Saenz and Mateus Costa arrived for the centre. Vítor Costa seems an upgrade over the irregular Marcelo Hermes on the left. Xadas returned to Marítimo after 2 seasons, and now he seems to have better conditions to establish himself as the playmaker for the team. Pelágio is more and more a solid option, while Filipe Cardoso, Rossi and Marcos Silva arrive with ambition to prove their talent at top flight level. In attack, it will be hard to replace Rodrigo Pinho. Milson should confirm his talent on his 3rd season as senior; Joel and Ali are expected to work better together on their second season as a duo. Beltrame will try to do better than he did on his debut season. Velazquez should present his 4231 with Xadas in the no. 10 position. Marítimo should be playing on a mixed mentality, adjusting to the context of each match, and abandoning for good the cagey philosophy of recent times (namely under Lito Vidigal).