Rio Ave thrashed 8‑0 in the first pre‑season test

Rio Ave kicked off its 2026/27 preparation with a dominant victory, beating the Vila do Conde selection 8‑0 at Estádio dos Arcos on Saturday morning. Coach Sotiris Silaidopoulos used the match to trial several options while fans enjoyed the open‑to‑members showcase.

Who scored and how did the game unfold?

Miguel Patrício opened the scoring within minutes, followed by Lobato to make it 2‑0. Spikic netted a brace at the 23rd and 31st minutes, then Ryan Guilherme added the fifth goal. Petrasso and Antoine completed the tally, each scoring twice, sealing the 8‑0 result. The side kept possession and created chances, giving the coach a chance to assess different formations.

Why does this test matter for the campaign?

Silaidopoulos emphasized that the match served "integration and evaluation of different solutions at an important phase of building for the 2026/27 season". With Rio Ave sitting 12th in the Primeira Liga, 36 points, 8 wins, 12 draws and 14 losses, the club must tighten a defence that has let in 57 goals while turning its attack into consistency. The offensive display may hint at a path to climb the table, still 52 points behind leaders FC Porto.

What’s next in the preparation?

After the Vila do Conde clash, the local side faces Arouca next Saturday in a closed‑door game. Rio Ave has three southern fixtures: Portimonense on July 15, Al Ahli on July 19 and Vitória de Guimarães on July 23, all behind closed doors. The final public test will be against Tondela on August 1 at Estádio dos Arcos.

How does the club’s current situation fit this moment?

Rio Ave ended the previous season with a 1‑1 draw against Casa Pia on May 16, 2026, and holds a recent record of 0‑3‑2 (DDLLD). Goals scored so far total 35, while 57 have been conceded, leaving a –22 goal difference. These numbers underline the need for defensive tweaks, yet also show the attack can produce when well organised.

Which players were tested?

Besides the scorers, Silaidopoulos gave minutes to Ennio Van der Gouw, Gustavo Mancha, Nelson Abbey, João Tomé, Liavas, Blesa, Miszta, Venâncio, Brabec, Caike, Nikitscher, Medina, Olinho, Tamble, Bezerra and Chamorro. The breadth of options suggests the coach is still searching for the ideal blend to tackle the Primeira Liga marathon.