Introducing opponents: Rio Ave
Thursday, February 9, 2017
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On February 10, the Pitmen will hold their final sparring in Portugal. Shakhtar’s opponents will be Rio Ave
The club based in Vila do Conde in Porto District was founded in 1939. The best Rio Ave’s performance in the Portugese Primeira Liga dates back to 1982, with the team finishing fifth under Jose Manuel Mourinho Felix - the father of Manchester United’s current manager.
Throughout its history, Rio Ave stopped more than once a footstep away from lifting a trophy. In 1984, the Green-and-Whites lost to Porto in the National Cup final. Back in 2014, the Vila do Conde side participated in three deciders at a time (the League Cup, the Portuguese Cup and Super Cup), with them suffering a loss to Lisboa e Benfica in either of those matches, however.
Rio Ave’s mentor is 55-year-old Luis Castro. Previously, he coached Porto Reserve team before taking over a position of the first team's head coach at the end of the season 2013/14 after Paulo Fonseca resigned. Following 20 rounds of the current domestic league, Castro's men are holding the 9th spot in the standings.
The clash Rio Ave vs Shakhtar will be held in Vila do Conde at Eshtadiu do Rio Ave. It kicks off at 12:30 Kyiv time (EET). Follow the broadcasts on shakhtar.com.