Axadrezados can compete, but face attacking conundrum
Pegged by many as certs for relegation, Boavista's only Primeira Liga goal this season was scored by Academica defender Richard Ofori.
However, As Panteras won a point at city rivals Porto last weekend and the early signs are that they can stay in the top flight - if they can find their shooting boots.
At the Dragão last Sunday, Spanish international Cristian Tello is unlikely to have studied his direct opponent in much detail prior to the game. On a rain-soaked night, the weather was pretty much all that was on anyone's mind, but Boavista's right-back João Dias was probably of no concern to a big name loaned from Barcelona.
Maybe Tello remembers Dias now: the former Académica defender sticking gamely to his task and helping his side record a deserved clean sheet.
Boavista had luck on their side certainly: a puddle notably coming to their rescue during a first half that also saw Porto reduced to 10 men after Maicon's dismissal.
Defensively, though, Boavista were sound and - a heavy 4-0 defeat to Rio Ave aside - they have looked competitive in their first five league games.
Brazilian steel
Former Portugal U21 and Benfica goalkeeper Mika has barely put a foot wrong since establishing himself as number one, while left-back Anderson Correia and Brazilian compatriot Philipe Sampaio have been rocks at the back and their side's best performers.
Manager Petit has acquitted himself well and doesn't look daunted by the job on his hands. Haranguing the officials to play the game at the saturated Dragão was a case in point and Petit's trademark tenacity as a player appears to have transferred into management.
However, staying in games and relying on opponents to score your goals is no formula for long-term success - and Petit has a big problem on his hands in terms of offensive firepower.
Midfielders Tengarrinha and Anderson de Carvalho are mobile and combative, but have offered little going forward thus far. Out wide Brayan Beckeles and Brito are yet to convince, while Bobo, Pouga and most recently Zé Manel have all toiled without resolving Petit's striking problem. Veteran Fary Faye has by far the best goalscoring record at the club, but is now little more than a mascot at the age of 39.
Personnel is, of course, central to Boavista's lack of goals, but tactics are also playing their part: with the 2001 champions set up to counter opponents and sit deep. Possession is not a priority: as evidenced by the first-half stats at the Dragão where Boavista had the ball just 18% of the time.
After the Porto game, Petit said that his side tried to be 'solid...compact and look for quick transitions on the break' and his troops followed that plan to the letter.
Counter-attacking is a formidable weapon, but one normally reserved for top sides. It requires quality and pace, two things that Boavista's class of 2014 lack in spades.
Challenges in store
Finding a way to safely free his side from their defensive mindset may, therefore, be Petit's biggest challenge.
Coaches look to lay a platform for success in their first five games and - after a shaky start - Boavista have four points from fixtures against the likes of champions Benfica, Porto and Braga. Foundations have been laid; now it will be intriguing to see how these are built upon and whether Petit can squeeze more from limited personnel who are, in many ways, already overachieving.
Gil Vicente are next up at the Estádio do Bessa, and Boavista will again try to get one of their own on the scoresheet. Beating minnows regularly is far more important than occasional points against the Primeira Liga big fish, and Boavista's destiny this season depends on how they fare in such games.
by Stephen Gillett
