Carlos Carvalhal’s rejuvenation in full swing at Rio Ave

Carlos Carvalhal took a year off after failing to keep Swansea in the Premier League before taking over at Rio Ave. PortuGOAL caught up with the likeable Portuguese coach after yesterday’s draw between Paços de Ferreira and Rio Ave, with Carvalhal explaining what attracted him to the role.

Matthew Marshall reports from the Capital do Móvel. 

Paços dominate stats, Rio Ave closer to victory

Paços de Ferreira and Rio Ave couldn’t be separated after a 0-0 draw at the Estádio Capital do Móvel. Paços dominated the shot count, but the statistics were deceiving as Nuno Santos squandered the best chance of the match for Carlos Carvalhal’s side.

Paços de Ferreira striker Welthon had two early chances but was wayward on both occasions. Hélder Ferreira fired wide after a quick free kick, Mohamed Diaby then creating a chance for Uilton as the hosts started strongly.

Rio Ave created a great chance when Nélson Monte released Mehdi Taremi, the Iranian squaring to Bruno Moreira whose goal-bound shot was deflected wide by Bruno dos Santos. The visitors created another opening when Diego and Taremi linked up inside the box, Marco Baixinho making a crucial tackle with the Brazilian about to pull the trigger.

Carlos Mané replaced Bruno Moreira before both managers made changes up front. Taremi went down injured and made way for by Ronan, Pepa responding by bringing on top scorer Douglas Tanque for Uilton.

Match statistics often portray an accurate reflection of a football match, but it wasn’t the case in Paços de Ferreira on Friday night.

The best chance came when Mané released Nuno Santos, he took the ball around Paços goalkeeper Ricardo Ribeiro but lost his footing before he could shoot. Tanque smashed an effort over the bar and Welthon came alive on the right wing in the closing stages, but it was too late for the hosts.

Rio Ave a work in progress

Rio Ave have achieved four straight top-seven finishes in the Primeira Liga despite frequent managerial changes, the latest of which saw Carlos Carvalhal replace Daniel Ramos in the summer. The Vila do Conde club reinforced their squad with defenders Aderllan Santos, Pedro Amaral, Diogo Figueiras alongside attackers Carlos Mané, Lucas Piazón and Mehdi Taremi.

The aim was to get into the UEFA Europa League for the fourth time in their history, but was complicated by a 1-0 defeat at newly promoted Famalicão in the first Primeira Liga game of the season. Not so much complicated by failing to take any points back to Vila do Conde, but complicated by the realisation that Famalicão had the potential to be a direct rival in the battle for Europa League qualification.

Carvalhal was visibly frustrated throughout the match last night with his players failing to position themselves according to his instructions. It gave the impression that his players will need time to adjust to his methods, after which they should be able to play in a much more cohesive way with and without the ball.

Carvalhal also has to figure out his best combinations up front. Bruno Moreira, Piazón and Ronan are fighting to partner Taremi while Carlos Mané surely needs to be starting every match.

Carvalhal enjoying some peace and quiet in Rio Ave

Carvalhal enjoyed a measure of success and significant popularity managing in England, first at Sheffield Wednesday, then at Swansea City, so it was something of a surprise when he returned to Portugal to take the reins at Rio Ave. He told PortuGOAL what attracted him to the role.

“Rio Ave is a quiet and organised club and we don’t feel too much pressure,” said the 53-year-old. “At the same time, we have very good players, a good team, a lot of players in our team we know are using Rio Ave as a bridge to get to another level, and we will help them get to that level.

“I am very enthusiastic about the project. I am working with a team with a very good soul and at the same time, we have quality in our squad to play good football. We are still in both Cups and have a very good opportunity to get to the semi-finals of the League Cup. It will be very important for the club if we can get into the final four.”

The hierarchy in Portuguese football is clear for all to see, leaving a number of clubs to fight for scraps behind Benfica, Porto, Sporting CP and Sporting Braga. “Guimaraes is a very strong team this season, Famalicão are playing as underdogs and doing fantastic. We are there fighting with these clubs and will try and achieve the best position possible.”

Carvalhal clearly knows Rio Ave’s position in Portugal, but could be guilty of downplaying their chances of equalling their best ever finish in the top flight. The Vilacondenses finished fifth in the 1981-82 and 2017-18 seasons and it’s not a radical assumption to think they could replicate that feat in May.

Long hard season ahead for Paços 

Rio Ave had a number of full-backs out injured at Paços de Ferreira with Diogo Figueiras, Nadjack, Junio and Matheus Reis all missing. Nélson Monte filled in at right-back and was tested by Uilton in the early stages, the hosts creating a number of chances through that avenue.

Paços de Ferreira didn’t do enough to exploit that particular weakness however. They let the visitors off the hook with wayward shooting a number of times and never seriously tested Pawel Kieszek.

Paços de Ferreira manager Pepa is used to battling at the bottom of the table after spells at Moreirense and Tondela. His new assignment appears to be no easier, but there are signs of a mini revival at the club after he replaced Filó on 2 September.

His first assignment ended in a 4-2 defeat at high flying Famalicão, but his side are undefeated in five of their six games since and are still alive in the Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga.

A large portion of his starting XI against Rio Ave were members of the squad won the Segunda Division last season, getting back into the Primeira Liga at the first time of asking. Goals have been hard to come by so far, Douglas Tanque scoring three of their five goals in Liga NOS.

We are likely to see more battling performances at the Estádio Capital do Móvel but the big challenge will be picking up points on the road. Paços de Ferreira won just once in 17 away matches as they were relegated in 2017/18, this season has been much of the same with one point earned in four away matches.

Central midfield strength

Luíz Carlos returned to the club where he played from 2011-2013 before moving to Sporting Braga. The 34-year-old provides invaluable experience and was ever-present as they clinched promotion last season.

Carlos was influential last night, especially in the first half before fading in the second half and replaced in the 81st minute. His partner in the centre of the pitch, Mohamed Diaby, was an easy choice for man of the match after a commanding performance.

The younger brother of former Arsenal and Marseille midfielder Abou Diaby, Mohamed’s career has taken an unusual path that started in the Azores with Santa Clara but he has a found a home in northern Portugal. Tall, strong, fast and composed, there is still plenty of room for improvement but he is arguably Paços de Ferreira’s most valuable asset.

To watch the match highlights click on the screen below:

By Matthew Marshall