The official start of the 2025/26 football season is still weeks away, but in the Algarve, the ball is already rolling – and both Farense and Portimonense got off to winning starts in their opening pre-season friendlies.
Farense, recently relegated from the top flight, took on their own U23 squad in a behind-closed-doors match at their training base in São Brás de Alportel. The senior team came out on top with a 3-1 victory, thanks to a brace from winger André Candeias and a goal from midfielder Rafael Teixeira. João Boavida scored the lone goal for the U23 side, who compete in the U-23 league, Liga Revelação.
Now led by new head coach Silas, who replaced Tozé Marreco, Farense are gearing up for a competitive return to the second tier. They’ve already secured two new signings: experienced centre-back Rúben Fernandes (a former captain of Algarve rivals Portimonense) from Gil Vicente and Macedonian winger Nikola Gjorgjev from Swiss side Aarau.
Meanwhile, Portimonense began their pre-season with an eye-catching 2-0 win over Aberdeen, the fifth-placed team in last season’s Scottish Premiership. The match took place at Estádio da Nora in Ferreiras, Albufeira, and the Algarve side wasted no time making their mark. Tamble Monteiro opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and Douglas Grolli doubled the lead just 12 minutes later.
With Tiago Fernandes now at the helm following Ricardo Pessoa’s departure, Portimonense look to improve on their disappointing 15th-place finish last season. The club has already been active in the transfer market, bringing in 11 new players ahead of their league opener at home against Penafiel on the weekend of August 9-10. M.B.
