Gil Vicente’s preparations for an upcoming friendly are being shaped by the staggered returns of international players, with some European-based individuals rejoining training swiftly while African internationals face delays.
Coach César Peixoto welcomed Gustavo Varela and André Picornell back to training sessions starting Thursday. Both players recently concluded duties with their respective Under-21 national teams.
Varela represented Portugal’s U21 squad, while Picornell played for Sweden’s U21 team. Their quick return was facilitated by their international matches taking place within Europe.
However, defenders Jonathan Buatu and Konan are expected to arrive later in the week. They were on international duty with Angola and Ivory Coast, respectively.
The club anticipates Buatu and Konan will return by the weekend. This delay means they could miss the friendly match against Moreirense.
Their potential absence offers an opportunity for younger players to gain more playing time. Coach Peixoto will use this period to observe and evaluate emerging talent.
Gil Vicente is currently focused on refining its squad. The friendly against Moreirense is a key part of this preparation phase.