Football Season Guide

Liga
Portugal
Liga
2016/2017
Rio Ave FC
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Rio Ave FC

In


Gil Dias (att)(Monaco, on loan), Ruben Ribeiro (mid)(Boavista), Rafa Soares (def)(Porto, on loan), Eliseu Cassamá (def)(CF Reus), Leandrinho (mid)(Santos), Felipe Augusto (mid)(Braga, return from loan)

Out


Ukra (r)(mid)(Al Fateh), Renan (r)(mid)(Apoel Nicosia), João Cunha (sp)(def)(Vizela), Silvério (sp)(def)(Leixões, on loan),

After a very positive season that led them to the European Competition qualification stages, Vilacondenses will now be expecting something similar from new coach Nuno Capucho. The former winger will be replacing Pedro Martins, who just joined Guimarães for the next season. Rio Ave wasn’t able to reach the play-offs of Europa League, due to a double tie and the application of away goals rules, in favour of Slavia Praha. But motivation should not be hindered by that, especially because it was visible already that there are some good ideas to support the new season already. It is true that influential midfielder Bressan and decisive winger Ukra left the club but, on the other hand, Leandrinho is arriving from Santos and promises to be leading the creative part of the midfield, while anchor Felipe Augusto is returning to the team after a good spell at Braga, on loan from Vilacondendes. Gil Dias, arriving from Monaco, might be the new reference in the attack. But the most reassuring aspect for the fans is that the likes of influential goalkeeper Cássio, centre-halves Marcelo and Roderick, midfielders Tarantini and Wakaso, and forwards Yazalde and Heldon will be continuing in the green and white striped shirt. With them on board, Rio Ave keeps the core of last season’s team, which will allow them and the fans to expect something similar for this season as well.

Target


Like in any other season, keeping in between the top flight teams for next one is always the first priority. But given last years – specially last season – success into achieving more comfortable and higher positions, the minimal expectations for 2016-17 should be a place in the first half of the table.