Every football coach has his trusted lieutenants, those players he calls upon without a second thought. For Tiago Margarido, the coach at Nacional, that core group is surprisingly small. Just four players have been constants in his starting eleven through the first eight matchdays of the season.
These undeniable figures on the pitch are José Gomes, Chucho RamÃrez, Paulinho Bóia, and Liziero. It’s a mix of old and new that Margarido clearly values. RamÃrez and Liziero are fresh faces, new signings who arrived at Nacional’s home ground this season. Yet, they’ve already earned the coach’s unwavering confidence.
Among this special quartet, full-back José Gomes stands out. He’s a veteran for Nacional, now in his fifth season with the club. His longevity is matched by his time on the field; Gomes has played more minutes than anyone else under Margarido, clocking in a remarkable 703 minutes so far. His consistent presence shows just how vital he is to the team’s plans.
With the busy schedule behind them, the Nacional squad will now enjoy a well-deserved weekend off. They are expected to return to training on Monday, ready to tackle the challenges ahead.