Portuguese professional football club
Football club
Rio Ave Futebol Clube , commonly known as Rio Ave ([ˈʁi.u ˈavɨ] 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] 1984 Taça de Portugal Final , where they lost to Porto 4–1,[4] 2014 Taça de Portugal Final , where they lost to Benfica 1–0.[5] 2014–15 UEFA Europa League , their first participation in a major European competition .
History
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] 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] 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] 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] 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]
Players
Current squad
As of 1 February 2024[15] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
League and cup history
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
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
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 ^B ^C 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
