The World Championship was just a warm-up, so to speak, but now it’s the real deal: the 2024/25 edition of the League Placard! The new season in Portugal’s top futsal division kicks off with several changes and lingering echoes from the previous season: Sporting clinched a historic fourth title, while SC Braga made its mark, securing a Champions League spot and denying Benfica European participation for the first time since 2017/18.
At Benfica, the call for a strong response to this new era is loud and clear. Mario Silva departed for Saudi Arabia, and after much speculation, Cassiano Klein was introduced as his successor. With a fresh start on the horizon, there’s no time to waste—especially as Benfica faces off against teams already fine-tuned by Nuno Dias and Joel Rocha, the masterminds behind Sporting and SC Braga.
THE THREE USUAL SUSPECTS
As the season begins, it’s hard to ignore the familiar hierarchy: Sporting, SC Braga, and Benfica are once again the front-runners. Within this trio, Sporting naturally emerges as the favorite to defend its crown and secure a fifth title.
However, several questions remain that only the start of the competition will answer. Pany Varela’s departure leaves a gap on the wing, and no new player has arrived to fill it, which could pose a challenge for Sporting. Meanwhile, Tatinho may step into a more prominent role in the upcoming season, with competition from Alex Merlin, Pauleta, and Taynan.
Last season, Sporting claimed their fourth title along with the League Cup, but their failure to secure the Portuguese Cup and, most disappointingly, a top spot in the Champions League (where they finished fourth) left a sense of incompleteness. Although they couldn’t find a replacement for Varela, they signed João Rocha from SC Braga, a strong addition alongside Zicky Té, the standout player of last season.
In Braga, after a runner-up finish and a spot in European competition, the team undergoes significant changes. Coach Joel Rocha faces new challenges with the departure of Robinho and the loss of Allan Guilherme to Sporting. However, the arrival of Hugo Neves, along with Brazilian wingers Gabriel Penezio and Gabriel Mazzetto, helps maintain the squad’s attacking prowess.
At Benfica, with a new coach in Klein, the club’s squad has largely remained intact. Although several players have departed, most were considered surplus to requirements. The squad’s continuity, combined with new additions like André Coelho and André Correia, might facilitate a smoother transition.
LIONS AT THE FRONT
Beyond the traditional top three, teams like Porto Salvo Lions are aiming to close the gap and secure a playoff spot. With Claudio Moreira at the helm, Porto Salvo maintains a solid squad despite losing Bruno Pinto to Saudi Arabia. However, key reinforcements like André Sousa and Martim Figueira help fill the void left by departing players, ensuring that the Lions remain competitive.
Other teams like Ferreira do Zêzere have also made significant market moves to stay competitive, while Torreense has reshaped its squad, bringing in fresh talent to improve on their previous performances.
CHANGES ON THE AGENDA
Other teams in the hunt for playoff positions include Tram, ADCR Caxinas Poça Barca, Quinta dos Lombos, and AD Fundão, all of whom made notable changes to their squads in the offseason. While the path to the second phase may be tougher for some, these teams are determined to avoid repeating last season’s failures.
THE FIGHT TO STAY UP
The newly promoted Dinamo Sanjoanense and Lusitania of the Azores face the toughest challenge: avoiding relegation. Dinamo Sanjoanense relies on an experienced squad to maintain their place in the top flight, while Lusitania has made sweeping changes, bringing in several Brazilian players to bolster their squad, although their lack of resources could make survival difficult.
With 12 teams and plenty of individual struggles, the season ahead promises to be intense. The competition kicks off this weekend, and a poor start is not an option for any team.
