Gil Vicente stepped onto the pitch for their official team presentation. No last-minute surprises were sprung on the fans. The squad faced a tough test against Brentford, a team that finished tenth in England’s Premier League last season. This match was Gil Vicente’s fourth and most demanding pre-season game. It ended in a 1-1 draw.
Coach César Peixoto started the game with three new signings. Luís Esteves, Konan, and Martín all played from the start. Esteves, a creative player formerly with Nacional, truly shone. He impressed throughout his 90 minutes on the field. He became a key figure in the Roosters’ attacking plays. He also played an active role in the midfield.
Pablo was another standout for Gil Vicente in yesterday’s match. He scored the opening goal after just ten minutes. His strong shot came from outside the penalty area. It followed a mistake by Brentford’s central defender, Van Der Berg. Brentford found their equalizer eight minutes later, at the 18-minute mark. They also hit the post just before halftime. The score remained tied at the break. César Peixoto brought on four more new players in the second half. Only Zé Carlos, another new face, did not get any minutes. The score stayed 1-1 until the final whistle. Gil Vicente created no more chances in the second half.
After the game, the Gil Vicente coach praised his team’s effort. “We still have a lot to improve, which is normal at this stage,” he said. “But the team fought well. Some players played a full 90 minutes for the first time. That was our main goal. We knew we would be tested defensively today. The team remained cohesive, compact, and organized. We need a bit more up front. We know this, and we are watching the market.”
César Peixoto also shared his vision for the team’s upcoming season. “This team will fight for three points in every single game,” he stated. “It will never shy away from a battle. This team will build a DNA of struggle, organization, courage, and a desire to play. We will face any opponent on equal terms. We will build our season game by game. Most importantly, we will always understand where we need to get better.”