Rio Ave F.C.

Portuguese professional football club

"Rio Ave" redirects here. For the river, see Ave River.

Football club

Rio Ave

Full name| Rio Ave Futebol Clube
Nickname(s)| Vilacondenses
Rioavistas
Founded| 18 January 1939; 85 years ago (18 January 1939)
Ground| Estádio dos Arcos
Capacity| 5,250
Owner| Evangelos Marinakis
President| Alexandrina Cruz[1]
Head coach| Luís Freire
League| Primeira Liga
2023–24| Primeira Liga, 11th of 18
Website| rioavefc.pt

Home colours

Third colours

|

Current season

Rio Ave Futebol Clube, commonly known as Rio Ave ([ˈʁi.u ˈavɨ]), is a Portuguese professional football club based in Vila do Conde, that competes in the Primeira Liga. The club is named after the Ave River, which flows through the town and into the Atlantic Ocean.

Founded in 1939, they play their home matches at Estádio do Rio Ave, also known as the Estádio dos Arcos. Built in 1985, the current stadium seats approximately 12,815 people.

The club's home colours are green and white striped shirts. Meanwhile, the shorts and socks have historically alternated between green or white.[2] Portuguese internationals Alfredo, Paulinho Santos, Quim, Rui Jorge and Fábio Coentrão started their careers at the club. Goalkeepers Jan Oblak and Ederson are some famous talents that were part of this side.

The Vilacondenses' best top-tier league finish was fifth in the 1981–82, 2017–18 and 2019–20 seasons.[3] They reached the 1984 Taça de Portugal Final, where they lost to Porto 4–1,[4] and the 2014 Taça de Portugal Final, where they lost to Benfica 1–0.[5] With this result, Rio Ave qualified for the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League, their first participation in a major European competition.

## History

[edit]

Rio Ave was founded in 1939, soon being nicknamed Rio Grande (Big River). The side had two of its best moments in the 1980s, under the management of Félix Mourinho, father of José Mourinho: in 1981–82, the club finished in a joint-best fifth place, and two years later it reached the Taça de Portugal final, losing to Porto 4–1.[6]

In 2013–14, the club reached both cup finals under the management of Nuno Espírito Santo, but lost to treble-winners Benfica in both. This qualified them to their first European campaign, the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League.[7] New manager Pedro Martins led them past Swedish duo IFK Göteborg and IF Elfsborg to reach the group stage, where they came last.

Under Miguel Cardoso, Rio Ave came fifth in 2017–18, equalling their best finish.[8] Two years later, with Carlos Carvalhal in charge and Iranian Mehdi Taremi the league's joint top scorer, the club equalled this position with a new points record of 55.[9] In October 2020, the team reached the Europa League playoffs but lost at home to A.C. Milan, having conceded a penalty equaliser in the last minute of extra time and then losing 9–8 on penalties.[10] The season, under the returning Cardoso, ended with relegation after a 5–0 aggregate defeat to F.C. Arouca in the playoffs.[11]

After relegation, Rio Ave signed 35-year-old manager Luís Freire, who won promotion as champions in 2021–22 and was rewarded with a new contract.[12]

In 2023, Rio Ave's affiliated paying members (sócios) approved the creation of a SAD and the entry of an investor, the Greek Evangelos Marinakis, who had already invested in Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest.[13][14]

## European record

[edit]

Season  | Competition  | Round  | Club  | Home  | Away  | Aggregate

|
|
|
|
|
|

2014–15 | UEFA Europa League | 3Q |  IFK Göteborg | 0–0  | 1–0  | 1–0
PO |  IF Elfsborg | 1–0  | 1–2  | 2–2 (a)
Group J |  Dynamo Kyiv | 0–3  | 0–2  | 4th place
Steaua București | 2–2  | 1–2
Aalborg BK | 2–0  | 0–1
2016–17 | UEFA Europa League | 3Q |  Slavia Prague | 1–1  | 0–0  | 1–1 (a)
2018–19 | UEFA Europa League | 2Q |  Jagiellonia Białystok | 4–4  | 0–1  | 4–5
2020–21 | UEFA Europa League | 2Q |  Borac Banja Luka | —  | 2–0 | —
3Q |  Beşiktaş | —  | 1–1 (4–2 p)  | —
PO |  Milan | 2–2 (8–9 p)  | —  | —

Notes

* 3Q: Third qualifying round
* PO: Play-off round
* GS: Group stage

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

As of 23 August 2024[15]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  POL | Cezary Miszta
2  | DF |  ENG | Jonathan Panzo (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
4  | DF |  BRA | Patrick William
5  | DF |  CYP | Georgios Okkas
6  | MF |  POR | João Novais
8  | MF |  POR | Vítor Gomes (captain)
9  | FW |  BRA | Clayton (on loan from Vasco da Gama)
10  | MF |  MAR | Amine Oudrhiri
11  | FW |  POR | Tiago Morais (on loan from Lille)
14  | FW |  ISR | Karem Zoabi
15  | FW |  NGA | Goodluck Igbokwe
16  | MF |  CRC | Brandon Aguilera
17  | FW |  GRE | Marios Vrousai
18  | GK |  BRA | Jhonatan
19  | FW |  POR | Kiko Bondoso (on loan from Maccabi Tel Aviv)
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

20  | DF |  POR | João Tomé
21  | MF |  POR | João Graça
22  | FW |  EGY | Ahmed Hassan
23  | DF |  ARG | Francisco Petrasso
27  | MF |  ARG | Tobias Medina
33  | DF |  BRA | Aderllan Santos
34  | MF |  TUR | Ege Tıknaz (on loan from Beşiktaş)
42  | DF |  CRO | Renato Pantalon
43  | DF |  POR | João Muniz (on loan from Sporting B)
76  | MF |  POR | Martim Neto (on loan from Benfica)
77  | FW |  POR | Fábio Ronaldo
80  | MF |  GER | Ole Pohlmann
98  | DF |  ENG | Omar Richards (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
99  | GK |  ALB | Antzelo Sina (on loan from Olympiacos)

### Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | DF |  BRA | Sávio (at Remo)

## Honours

[edit]

### National competitions

[edit]

* Taça de Portugal
* Runners-up (2): 1983–84, 2013–14
* Taça da Liga
* Runners-up (1): 2013–14
* Supertaça de Portugal
* Runners-up (1): 2014
* Segunda Divisão / Liga Portugal 2
* Winners (4): 1985–86, 1995–96, 2002–03, 2021–22
* Terceira Divisão
* Winners (1): 1976–77

### Regional competitions

[edit]

* AF Porto Cup
* Winners (1): 1966–67

### Personnel honours

[edit]

* SJPF Player of the Month
* Evandro – December 2003
* João Tomás – November 2009, November 2010
* SJPF Young Player of the Month
* Miguel Lopes – October 2008, November 2008
* Yazalde – February 2009
* Fábio Faria – November 2009, December 2009
* Vítor Gomes – October 2011

|
|

## Coaching staff

[edit]

Position  | Staff

|

Manager  |  Luís Freire
Assistant Manager  |  Augusto Gama
First-Team Coach  |  Vítor Vinha
First-Team Coach  |  Nuno Silva
First-Team Coach  |  João Ferreira
Rehab Coach  |  Nuno André
Match Analyst  |  Hermógenes
Match Analyst  |  Roberto Tiago
Club Doctor  |  Basil Ribeiro
Club Doctor  |  André Dias
Physiotherapist  |  José Teixeira
Physiotherapist  |  Diogo Lopes
Physiotherapist  |  Pedro Matos
Nutritionist  |  Elton Gonçalves
Kit Manager  |  Pedro Festas
Kit Manager  |  Adelino Castro
Team Manager  |  Gualter Pires

## Coaching history

[edit]

* Artur Quaresma (1976–78)
* Pedro Gomes (1978–79)
* Fernando Cabrita (1979–81)
* Félix Mourinho (1981–82)
* Pedro Gomes (1982–83)
* Félix Mourinho (1983–85)
* Mário Reis (1985–86)
* Abel Braga (1986)
* António Morais (1986–87)
* Mário Juliato (1987–88)
* Mário Reis (1988–89)
* Nicolau Vaqueiro (1989)
* Eurico Gomes (1989–90)
* Mário Reis (1990–91)
* Augusto Inácio (1991–92)
* Vieira Nunes (1992)
* José Rachão (1992–93)
* Quinito (1993–94)
* Jaime Pacheco (1994–95)
* Abel Braga (1995)
* Henrique Calisto (1995–96)
* Carlos Brito (1 July 1996 – 30 June 2000)
* Vítor Oliveira (1 July 2000 – 7 Nov 2001)
* Horácio Gonçalves (13 Nov 2001 – 29 Oct 2002)
* Carlos Brito (30 Oct 2002 – 30 June 2005)
* António Sousa (1 July 2005 – 28 Feb 2006)
* João Eusébio (28 Feb 2006 – 5 Jan 2009)
* Carlos Brito (6 Jan 2009 – 15 May 2012)
* Nuno Espírito Santo (1 July 2012 – 19 May 2014)
* Pedro Martins (22 May 2014 – 17 May 2016)
* Capucho (20 May 2016 – 10 Nov 2016)
* Luís Castro (14 Nov 2016 – 12 June 2017)
* Miguel Cardoso (12 June 2017 – 12 June 2018)
* José Gomes (13 June 2018 – 22 December 2018)
* Augusto Gama (interim) (23 December 2018 – 3 January 2019)
* Daniel Ramos (3 January 2019 – 30 June 2019)
* Carlos Carvalhal (1 July 2019 – 2 August 2020)
* Mário Silva (3 August 2020 – 30 December 2020)
* Pedro Cunha (interim) (30 December 2020 – 29 January 2021)
* Miguel Cardoso (29 January 2021 – 27 May 2021)
* Luís Freire (1 July 2021 – present)

## League and cup history

[edit]

Season  | Div.  | Pos.  | Pl.  | W  | D  | L  | GS  | GA  | P  | Cup | League Cup | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1978–79  | 2DS  | 2 | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5  | 51 | 26 | 45 | Round 4  |  | Promoted
1979–80 | 1D  | 16 | 30 | 5 | 3 | 22  | 22 | 61 | 13 | Round 4  |  | Relegated
1980–81  | 2DS  | 1 | 30 | 16 | 10 | 4  | 43 | 17 | 42 | Round 3  |  | Promoted
1981–82 | 1D  | 5 | 30 | 13 | 8 | 9  | 26 | 31 | 34 | Round 5  |  |

[A]

1982–83 | 1D  | 8 | 30 | 13 | 3 | 14  | 43 | 45 | 29 | Round 3  |  |
1983–84 | 1D  | 9 | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12  | 35 | 35 | 29 | Runner-up  |  |

[B]

1984–85 | 1D  | 13 | 30 | 7 | 9 | 14  | 27 | 43 | 23 | Quarter-final  |  | Relegated
1985–86  | 2DN  | 1 | 30 | 19 | 11 | 0  | 52 | 19 | 49 | Round 4  |  | Promoted
1986–87 | 1D  | 13 | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13  | 33 | 40 | 25 | Round 5  |  |
1987–88 | 1D  | 18 | 38 | 7 | 14 | 17  | 29 | 67 | 28 | Round 6  |  | Relegated
1988–89  | 2DS  | 4 | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9  | 51 | 30 | 41 | Round 3  |  |
1989–90 | 2DS  | 10 | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13  | 44 | 47 | 31 | Round 3  |  |
1990–91 | 2DS  | 4 | 38 | 23 | 10 | 5  | 79 | 21 | 56 | Round 6  |  | Promoted
1991–92 | 2H  | 4 | 34 | 16 | 7 | 11  | 47 | 30 | 39 | Round 5  |  |
1992–93 | 2H  | 5 | 34 | 14 | 10 | 10  | 39 | 36 | 38 | Round 5  |  |
1993–94 | 2H  | 4 | 34 | 18 | 8 | 8  | 43 | 23 | 44 | Quarter-final  |  |
1994–95 | 2H  | 11 | 34 | 12 | 8 | 14  | 47 | 46 | 32 | Round 6  |  |
1995–96 | 2H  | 1 | 34 | 21 | 5 | 8  | 58 | 42 | 68 | Round 5  |  | Promoted
1996–97 | 1D  | 15 | 34 | 8 | 11 | 15  | 35 | 42 | 35 | Round 4  |  |
1997–98 | 1D  | 9 | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12  | 43 | 43 | 46 | Round 5  |  |
1998–99 | 1D  | 14 | 34 | 8 | 11 | 15  | 26 | 47 | 35 | Round 4  |  |
1999–00 | 1D  | 17 | 34 | 8 | 9 | 17  | 34 | 54 | 33 | Semi-final  |  | Relegated
2000–01 | 2H  | 5 | 34 | 17 | 9 | 8  | 68 | 35 | 60 | Round 6  |  |
2001–02 | 2H  | 8 | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12  | 45 | 36 | 46 | Round 3  |  |
2002–03 | 2H  | 1 | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9  | 49 | 36 | 63 | Round 5  |  | Promoted
2003–04 | 1D  | 7 | 34 | 12 | 12 | 10  | 42 | 37 | 48 | Quarter-final  |  |
2004–05 | 1D  | 8 | 34 | 10 | 17 | 7  | 35 | 35 | 47 | Round 6  |  |
2005–06 | 1D  | 16 | 34 | 8 | 10 | 16  | 34 | 53 | 34 | Round 5  |  | Relegated
2006–07 | 2H  | 3 | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7  | 44 | 37 | 53 | Round 4  |  |
2007–08 | 2H  | 2 | 30 | 13 | 12 | 5  | 38 | 26 | 51 | Round 6  | Round 1  | Promoted
2008–09 | 1D  | 12 | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16  | 20 | 35 | 30 | Round 3  | Second Group Stage  |
2009–10 | 1D  | 12 | 30 | 6 | 13 | 11  | 22 | 33 | 31 | Semi-final  | Second Group Stage  |
2010–11 | 1D  | 8 | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12  | 35 | 33 | 38 | Quarter-final  | Round 1  |
2011–12 | 1D  | 14 | 30 | 7 | 7 | 16  | 33 | 42 | 28 | Round 4  | Second Group Stage  |
2012–13 | 1D  | 6 | 30 | 12 | 6 | 12  | 35 | 42 | 42 | Round 4  | Semi-final  |
2013–14 | 1D  | 11 | 30 | 8 | 8 | 14  | 21 | 35 | 32 | Runner-up  | Runner-up  | Qualified Europa League [B] [C]
2014–15 | 1D  | 10 | 34  | 10  | 13  | 11  | 38  | 42  | 43 | Semi-final  | Second Group Stage  |
2015–16 | 1D  | 6 | 34  | 14  | 8  | 12  | 44  | 44  | 50 | Semi-final  | Second Group Stage  | Qualified Europa League
2016–17 | 1D  | 7 | 34  | 14  | 7  | 13  | 41  | 39  | 49 | Round 3  | Group Stage  |
2017–18 | 1D  | 5 | 34  | 15  | 6  | 13  | 40  | 42  | 51 | Quarter-final  | Group Stage  | Qualified Europa League [A]
2018–19 | 1D  | 7 | 34  | 12  | 9  | 13  | 50  | 52  | 45 | Round 5  | Group Stage  |
2019–20 | 1D  | 5 | 34  | 15  | 10  | 9  | 48  | 36  | 55 | Quarter-final  | Group Stage  | Qualified Europa League [A]
2020–21 | 1D  | 16 | 34  | 7  | 13  | 13  | 25  | 40  | 34 | Round 5  | DNP  | Relegated

^A Best league classification finish in the club's history.
^B Best cup run in the club's history.
^C Best league cup run in the club's history.

Div. = Division; 1D = Portuguese League; 2H = Liga de Honra; 2DS/2D = Portuguese Second Division

Pos. = Position; Pl = Match played; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lost; GS = Goal scored; GA = Goal against; P = Points

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Alexandrina Cruz é a nova presidente do Rio Ave FC. rioavefc.pt.
2. ^ "Colours of Football - Rio Ave FC". Colours of Football. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
3. ^ "Rio Ave bate recorde de pontos na liga, Vitória já não chegará à Europa" [Rio Ave sets record for league points, Vitória will no longer reach Europe]. Tribuna Expresso (in Portuguese). 19 July 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
4. ^ "FC Porto 4–1 Rio Ave". ZeroZero. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
5. ^ "Rio Ave beat Braga to reach final".
6. ^ da Silva Campos, António (25 June 2017). "Felix [sic] Mourinho deixou-nos um legado eterno" [Félix Mourinho left us an eternal legacy] (in Portuguese). Rio Ave F.C. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
7. ^ "First-timers Rio Ave out to finish off IFK". UEFA. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
8. ^ "Nantes hire coach Miguel Cardoso to replace Claudio Ranieri". ESPN FC. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
9. ^ "Presidente do Rio Ave confirma saída do treinador Carlos Carvalhal" [President of Rio Ave confirms exit of manager Carlos Carvalhal]. Record (in Portuguese). 25 July 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
10. ^ Cole, Richard (1 October 2020). "Europa League: Sporting humiliated, Rio Ave cruelly eliminated". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
11. ^ Oludare, Shina (30 May 2021). "Ofori & Bukia's FC Arouca promoted to Primeira Liga after play-off triumph over Rio Ave". Goal. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
12. ^ Veloso Gomes, André (22 June 2022). "Oficial: Luís Freire renova pelo Rio Ave" [Official: Luís Freire renews with Rio Ave]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 24 July 2023.
13. ^ "Sócios do Rio Ave aprovam SAD e entrada de investidor grego". Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 30 January 2024.
14. ^ "Evangelos Marinakis, o milionário de "bolsos fundos e pouca paciência" que ama barcos, escreve letras de canções e vai investir no Rio Ave". Tribuna Expresso (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 30 January 2024.
15. ^ "Equipa Principal" (in Portuguese). Rio Ave FC.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rio Ave F.C..

* Official website (in Portuguese)
* Zerozero team profile
* Detailed up-to-date club news

* v
* t
* e

Rio Ave Futebol Clube

* Players
* Managers

Home stadium|

* Estádio dos Arcos

Seasons|

* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23

* v
* t
* e

Primeira Liga

2024–25 clubs|

* Arouca
* AVS
* Benfica
* Boavista
* Braga
* Casa Pia
* Estoril
* Estrela da Amadora
* Famalicão
* Farense
* Gil Vicente
* Moreirense
* Nacional
* Porto
* Rio Ave
* Santa Clara
* Sporting CP
* Vitória de Guimarães

Former clubs|

* Académica
* Académico de Viseu
* Académico do Porto
* Águeda
* Alcobaça
* Alverca
* Amora
* Atlético CP
* Aves
* B-SAD
* Barreirense
* Beira-Mar
* Belenenses
* Caldas
* Campomaiorense
* Carcavelinhos
* Chaves
* CUF
* Estrela da Amadora (1932)
* Fafe
* Feirense
* Felgueiras
* Leixões
* Leça
* Lusitano de Évora
* Lusitano VRSA
* Marítimo
* Montijo
* Naval 1º de Maio
* O Elvas
* Oliveirense
* Olhanense
* Oriental
* Paços de Ferreira
* Penafiel
* Portimonense
* Riopele
* Salgueiros
* Sanjoanense
* Seixal
* Sporting da Covilhã
* Sporting de Espinho
* Tirsense
* Tondela
* Torreense
* Trofense
* União da Madeira
* União de Coimbra
* União de Leiria
* União de Lisboa
* União de Tomar
* Unidos de Lisboa
* Varzim
* Vitória de Setúbal
* Vizela

Statistics and awards|

* Silver ball
* Top scorers
* Hat-tricks
* Player of the Year

Associated competitions|

* Taça de Portugal
* Taça da Liga
* Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
* UEFA Champions League
* UEFA Europa League
* UEFA Conference League

* v
* t
* e

Football in Portugal

FPF • LPFP • League system

Men's|

| National teams|

* Portugal
* B
* U-23
* U-21
* U-20
* U-19
* U-18
* U-17
* U-16
* U-15
* Futsal
* Beach

|

League system|

* Primeira Liga
* Liga Portugal 2
* Liga 3
* Campeonato de Portugal

Domestic cups|

* Taça de Portugal
* Taça da Liga
* Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira

Women's|

| National teams|

* Portugal
* U-19
* U-17
* Futsal

|

League system|

* Campeonato Nacional
* Campeonato Nacional II Divisão
* Campeonato Nacional III Divisão

Domestic cups|

* Taça de Portugal
* Taça da Liga
* Supertaça de Portugal

District Associations|

* Algarve
* Angra do Heroísmo
* Aveiro
* Beja
* Braga
* Bragança
* Castelo Branco
* Coimbra
* Évora
* Guarda
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* Madeira
* Ponta Delgada
* Portalegre
* Porto
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* Setúbal
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* Vila Real
* Viseu

Defunct competitions|

* Segunda Divisão
* Terceira Divisão
* Taça Ribeiro dos Reis
* Taça Federação Portuguesa de Futebol
* Liga Intercalar

Clubs • Club honours • Silver ball • Venues • Derbies • Ultras • Foreign players • Footballers • Managers

Authority control databases |

* VIAF

|

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template