Manager Vítor Oliveira admitted that further reinforcements were needed after his team were outplayed by FC Porto at Estádio do Algarve last Thursday evening (July 27).
Around 6,000 spectators saw the Algarveans’ defence exposed on no less than three occasions within the opening 22 minutes as keeper Ricardo Ferreira was powerless to prevent Soares and Aboubakar head home from close range before Brahimi made it three without reply.
Just after the half-hour mark Ewerton showed great skill to bury a Ricardo Pessoa far post cross into the opposite corner of Casillas’ net, reducing the deficit to two, and Portimonense emerged with renewed purpose after the interval.
Paulinho was dispossessed when about to pull the trigger before Wellington had his effort blocked, but the momentum soon swung the other way again following several Porto substitutions. In the 66th minute, Leo, in goal for Ferreira, did very well to keep out Aboubakar, but subsequently shared his predecessor’s fate as Brahimi and Hernâni showed their class to establish the final 5-1 score line.
With the new season due to kick off against Boavista this Monday at 5pm without the still injured Pires, Marcel, Jadson and Stanley, the need to bolster the squad was made only too apparent.
Management are currently looking at three loan possibilities with Sporting Braga’s Assis and Porto duo Suk and Galeno top of the agenda while certain players deemed surplus to requirements will be asked to leave.
In other news, the League Cup tie against Chaves, originally due to have been played last Sunday, has been rescheduled for September 3 as the race to get the municipal stadium ready continues.
By SKIP BANDELE
