A BOLA – VILLA – condenses in anticipation and with two shots on the table (Rio Ave.)

Rio Ave is now in a battle against time and is preparing two action plans, let’s call them A and B, one to stay in the league by administrative decision, if Boavista fails to license and Rio Ave gets invited by the league (like an event with Portimonense last season), or play in the Liga 2, complete relegation after losing to Arouca in a playoff between 16th in Liga and third in Liga 2. Until the decision is made, Rio Ave will be very impressive. Vigilant regarding the state of checkers.

Preparation for the new season is still very limited, with President Antonio Silva Campos and general manager Marco Aurelio Carvalho still with Covid-19. But Rio Ave managers know they can’t wait until next 18 – when the league’s audit committee will reveal how many clubs have met the licensing requirements – to make decisions about the team. Also because if participation in Liga 2 for Rio Ave is confirmed, training will have to start before July. If the downturn is confirmed, the difference in TV revenue will be brutal and Rio Ave will have to make a drastic change.

The final residency in the league will provide a budget in line with the last two seasons of European Rio Ave.

The first decision will be the choice of coach, and the department to which Rio Avi belongs will have an influence. As announced by A BOLA, former Nacional coach Luis Freire is one of the names he loves, not least because of his experience of climbing to La Liga 2 with the islanders. But the decision has not been taken.