Futebol Clube de Arouca have journeyed from the regional divisions of the Aveiro district to qualification for European competition on two separate occasions in their current home, constructed in 2006.
The former Futebol Clube do Porto subsidiary are enjoying the most prestigious phase of their existence and on Matchday 21, the Estádio Municipal of Arouca was the scene of another memorable night.
FC Arouca managed to recover from a two-goal deficit and conquer all three points against Vitória Sport Clube – two ‘firsts’ for the Arouquenses in Liga Portugal.
26-year-old Alfonso Trezza was a leading protagonist with a crucial goal before half-time, rupturing through the Vitória backline and making no mistake when one on one against Vitória’s Allianz Cup hero, Brazilian goalkeeper Charles.
The momentum swing was evident, as Iván Barbero and Lee Hyun-ju completed the turnaround, described as an epic turnaround in Portugal.
Os Lobos (The Wolves) sit comfortably in 12th place, despite going through a rough patch of form and six consecutive games without a win earlier in the campaign.
In fact, only three clubs in the entire division have won their last two matches: Braga, Gil Vicente and Arouca, who have scored six goals in the process with Trezza at the forefront.
Kevin Fernandes has the lowdown on Arouca’s talisman, and the PortuGOAL Figure of the Week from Matchday 21.
Flourishing in Florida
Alfonso Trezza Hernández commenced his footballing journey at local side Club Atlético Florida (not that Florida, the Uruguayan one) before joining Uruguay’s finest, Club Nacional de Football.
At U-20 level, Trezza lifted the Copa Libertadores for Nacional before lifting two Primera División titles and a Supercopa from 2020 to 2022.
The wide forward made over 100 appearances for the Montevideo club, cementing himself in the history of Uruguayan football’s most decorated outfit.
Days after scoring against Boca Juniors in the Libertadores, Arouca secured the services of the forward with Italian heritage for the modest fee of 183,000 euros.
87 appearances, 13 goals and 6 assists later, Alfonso Trezza is looking to take Arouca back to challenging for European football.
Tricky Trezza
Standing at 166cm (5’ 5 ½”) tall, Trezza doesn’t tower above his markers, but he can still dominate them.
The versatile attacker has played as the focal point of the Arouca attack but also played as a right wing-back out-of-possession, demonstrating the extent of his tactical nous and indefatigable work-rate.
Despite not being the most refined technician, Trezza is a constant threat both with the ball and when attacking space without it, in behind defences with his shifty, explosive, diminutive stature, or when operating in considerate spaces to ask questions of isolated defenders.
More than raw ability in evolution, Arouca’s number 19 shines for his mental attributes while his prime years are yet to come.
We may be yet to see the best of Vasco Seabra’s Arouca, and the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week.
Honourable mentions from Matchday 21:
João Carvalho – The ‘Midfielder of the Month’ of January creates moments of magic once again for Estoril.
Jovane Cabral – The redemption arc continues for Jovane Cabral, as featured in a recent PortuGOAL Figure of the WeekJovane Cabral, as featured in a recent PortuGOAL Figure of the Week column.
Anísio Cabral – Two touches, two goals for the forward likened to Didier Drogba by José Mourinho.
Justin de Haas – One of the best central defenders outside of the traditional Portuguese Big Three makes an impact in the opposite penalty area
