Football Season Guide

For the untrained eye, this looks like an whole new club having their first experience in top flight division. And it isn't completely false. AVS Sad is the new "format" of the extinct Desportivo das Aves, that went bankrupt two years ago. AVS is the result from a sort of merging between Vila Franquense SAD (team from near Lisbon) and the remainings of the old Desp. Aves. AVS could start playing at second division (where Vilafranquense was), and is now using the facilities of Desp. Aves, in the North. However, unlike the terrible experience of B SAD vs. Belenenses, the fans of the old Desp. Aves embraced this new project and it looks like the old days. AVS doesn't lack an identity like some other SAD projects. Last season, AVS finished 3rd in Segunda Liga and won in the playoffs against Portimonense. Some important players like the skillful Benny and the experienced Edson Farias and Fábio Pacheco are gone, but most part of the squad will remain for the new season. Something that is somehow rare for newly promoted teams. The eternal Nenê remains a reference in attack, despite his 41-years old. The former Cagliari and Spezia striker is an encyclopedia of the moves of a pure striker. He scored 25 goals last season and already picked a poker on a pre-season match. Mercado is the flamboyant unit in attack. He is irregular but his talent will be highly important for AVS. Midfielders Aburjania, Lucca and Piazon are back to Portuguese football hoping to find their best days. Piazon, in particular, failed to live up early expectations, but at 30-years old he might have some points to prove.