Portimonense’s fortunes have experienced a dramatic downturn following the encouraging season-opening 3-0 triumph over fellow Algarveans Farense.
Manager Lázaro Oliveira’s men dominated last week’s Wednesday evening home encounter against Porto B but were unable to find the back of the net following an early and somewhat fortuitous André Silva strike for the visitors. That unlucky 1-0 defeat was followed by a 3-0 trouncing in Lisbon last Monday during which opponents Benfica B looked a much classier team. This Sunday Atlético come to the Algarve and maybe the introduction of two new Brazilian arrivals, 26-year-old forward Renatinho and 19-year-old winger Juninho, can give Portimonense renewed impetus.
Further east, newly-promoted Farense are still searching for their first victory but have steadied the ship with two goalless draws against Leixões and Aves, either of which games could easily have seen all three points remaining in the Algarve’s capital. Skip Bandele
