Coach Vasco Matos seems to trust what he saw. Santa Clara is set to field the same starting eleven. This is the lineup that beat RK Varazdin in Ponta Delgada. That match was the second leg of the Europa Conference League’s second qualifying round. The team’s strong play and good spirit convinced the coach. Frederico Venâncio, Serginho, and Wendel Silva will keep their spots. Meanwhile, MT, Pedro Ferreira, and Anthony Carter are eager for a chance. They are ready to play against Larne FC from Northern Ireland.
Beyond the upcoming match, Santa Clara is also building for tomorrow. The club officially announced the transfer of Rodrigo Mendes yesterday. This news was first reported by Record. Mendes is a 20-year-old defender. He is a Portugal international. He joins from Torino and has signed until 2028. For now, he will join the Under-23 team. Mendes shared his thoughts on the move. “Coming back to Portugal was a big step for me,” he said. “I wanted a new experience in senior football.” He added that Santa Clara offers stability. “It has a plan for the future,” Mendes explained. “That is good for any young player.”