Marítimo enter the 2026/27 Primeira Liga campaign back among Portugal’s elite after a three-year absence, and the early signs suggest they intend to stay. Mitchell van der Gaag, returning to the club where he spent five years as a player and a further spell as coach, has overseen a measured rebuild rather than a revolution. The Madeirans have taken seven points from their opening five matches, sitting ninth, and their 1-0 victory over Casa Pia on the opening day was greeted with a sold-out Estádio dos Barreiros. This is the definitive guide to the current Marítimo squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Mitchell van der Gaag
Tactical Philosophy: Van der Gaag has prioritised continuity over upheaval. The Dutchman inherited a squad that won the Segunda Liga title and chose to build around its core rather than dismantle it. “It would be very strange, in a team that was champion last season, although at a different level, for us to want to change everything,” he explained. “We went to see and we liked the team and we’re going to use this. Then I also have my ideas and we’ve already spoken about that during pre-season.” His preferred shape is a 4-2-3-1, with Romain Correia marshalling the defence and Adrián Butzke leading the line.
Preferred Formations: 4-2-3-1, with the capacity to shift to a 4-3-3 depending on opponent and game state.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Marítimo’s summer was one of the busiest in the Primeira Liga, with thirteen confirmed arrivals spanning every position. The strategy was clear: retain the promotion-winning core, add players with higher-level experience, and ensure the squad possessed enough quality to survive. The club’s SAD prioritised “reinforcements for all sectors, many of them still relatively young, but with high margins for progression.”
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gábor Szalai | Centre-Back | Ferencváros | Loan |
| Rafael Fernandes | Centre-Back | Lille | Loan |
| Nilton Varela | Left-Back | Beerschot | Free |
| Nathanael Ogbeta | Left-Back | Barnsley | Free |
| Tomás Tavares | Defender | Wisła Płock | Undisclosed |
| Maxime Dominguez | Attacking Midfielder | KS Cracovia | Undisclosed |
| Yellu Santiago | Central Midfielder | Hellas Verona | Undisclosed |
| Maurice Boakye | Winger | Hamburger SV | Free |
| Bryan Limbombe | Winger | Heracles Almelo | Undisclosed |
| Samuel Bamba | Winger | VfL Bochum | Undisclosed |
| Ibrahim Alani | Midfielder | Valladolid | Undisclosed |
| Israel Ayuma | Midfielder | NK Istra | Undisclosed |
| Fran Vieites | Goalkeeper | Leicester City | Free |
Gábor Szalai is the most highly regarded of the arrivals, a Hungarian international centre-back with Europa League experience borrowed from Ferencváros. Rafael Fernandes, on loan from Lille, adds French top-flight pedigree to the defensive line. Nilton Varela brings Portuguese youth international experience from his time at Belenenses, Sporting, and Porto B, while Nathanael Ogbeta, a Manchester City academy graduate, offers Championship-level experience from English football. Maxime Dominguez is the creative addition, a Swiss-Portuguese playmaker who has already contributed to the attacking structure. Maurice Boakye and Samuel Bamba, both signed from German clubs, provide youthful attacking depth.
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Alfonso Pastor (#13): The Spanish goalkeeper has started all five league matches, accumulating 450 minutes. His shot-stopping and command of the area have been reliable, and he has kept one clean sheet in the opening weeks. At 25, he represents a long-term solution between the posts.
Gonçalo Tabuaço (#1): The Portuguese goalkeeper provides experienced cover. His presence ensures genuine competition for the starting role, and he is trusted by the coaching staff.
Fran Vieites (#30): The Spanish goalkeeper joined from Leicester City, bringing English football experience to the goalkeeping department.
Kimiss Zavala (#34): The young Mozambican goalkeeper provides depth and development potential.
Defenders
Romain Correia (#44): The club captain and defensive cornerstone. Correia has started every league match, wearing the armband and organising the back line. His leadership is central to Marítimo’s structure, and his composure on the ball suits Van der Gaag’s build-up preferences.
Rafael Fernandes (#4): The loan signing from Lille has slotted seamlessly into central defence. At 24, his physical presence and ball-playing ability provide the platform for Marítimo’s defensive solidity.
Paulo Henrique (#23): The Brazilian-born defender has started all five matches, contributing one goal from set-pieces. His versatility across left-back and centre-back makes him a valuable asset in a demanding season.
Igor Julião (#2): The experienced Brazilian right-back has started every league match, his defensive solidity and crossing ability making him a reliable outlet on the flank.
Gábor Szalai (#22): The Hungarian international, on loan from Ferencváros, brings Europa League experience to the defensive unit. He has made three appearances in the opening weeks, gradually integrating into Van der Gaag’s system.
Nilton Varela (#5): The Portuguese left-back joined from Beerschot, bringing experience from spells at Belenenses, Sporting, and Porto B. His attacking thrust and delivery provide width on the left flank.
Nathanael Ogbeta (#3): The English left-back, a Manchester City academy graduate, signed a two-year contract after spells at Swansea City, Peterborough United, and Barnsley. His physical profile and Championship experience add depth to the defensive options.
Tomás Tavares (#15): The Portuguese defender, formerly of Benfica and Wisła Płock, provides cover across the back line.
David Freitas: The young Madeiran centre-back has been loaned to Sintrense for the season to gain regular first-team football, after captaining the U23 side last season.
Midfielders
Rodri Andrade (#6): The Portuguese midfielder has started all five league matches, accumulating 447 minutes. His energy and tactical discipline make him a reliable presence in the engine room.
Raphael Guzzo (#14): The most experienced player in the squad, with 87 Primeira Liga appearances to his name. Guzzo’s composure and passing range provide the control that allows Marítimo to dictate tempo. He has contributed one goal this season and is a key leadership voice.
Martín Tejón (#10): The Spanish attacking midfielder has been one of the standout performers, contributing one goal and one assist in the opening five matches. His creativity and movement in the half-spaces make him the primary creative conduit.
Vladan Danilović (#18): The Bosnian midfielder provides physical presence and tactical flexibility, capable of operating in midfield or as a supporting striker.
Yellu Santiago (#25): The Spanish midfielder joined from Hellas Verona, bringing Serie A experience to the engine room. At 22, he represents both present quality and future potential.
Ibrahim Alani (#21): The Nigerian midfielder arrived from Valladolid, adding physicality and ball-carrying ability to the midfield options.
Israel Ayuma (#66): The Nigerian midfielder joined from NK Istra, providing further depth and competition in central areas.
Maxime Dominguez (#8): The Swiss-Portuguese playmaker is the creative fulcrum of the new-look midfield. His technical quality and set-piece delivery add a dimension that was missing in the Segunda Liga.
Francisco Silva (#16): The young Portuguese midfielder provides depth and development potential.
Forwards
Adrián Butzke (#17): The Spanish striker is the focal point of Marítimo’s attack and the joint top scorer from last season’s promotion campaign. He has started all five league matches, scoring one goal from the penalty spot. His physical presence and finishing ability make him the primary threat.
Simo Bouzaidi (#11): The Moroccan winger provides pace and directness on the flank, his dribbling making him a constant outlet on the counter-attack.
Enrique Peña Zauner (#7): The Venezuelan winger offers technical quality and creativity in wide areas.
Maurice Boakye (#90): The German-Ghanaian forward joined from Hamburger SV, where he played primarily for the B team. At 21, he represents a long-term investment in the attacking line.
Bryan Limbombe (#35): The Belgian winger brings pace and direct running from the Eredivisie, adding depth to the wide attacking options.
Samuel Bamba (#27): The German winger, formerly of VfL Bochum, provides further competition in wide areas.
Mons Bassouamina (#12): The Congolese winger offers a different profile, his physicality and work rate making him a useful option in certain matchups.
José Melro (#9): The young Portuguese striker provides depth through the middle.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Romain Correia
The French-born Portuguese centre-back wears the armband and leads by example. Correia has started every league match, his organisational skills and defensive composure providing the foundation for Marítimo’s back line. His presence in the dressing room is invaluable for a squad containing several players experiencing Primeira Liga football for the first time.
The Leadership Committee: Raphael Guzzo, with 87 Primeira Liga appearances, is the most experienced voice in the squad. His guidance will be crucial for the younger players navigating the demands of the top flight.
Homegrown Quota Check: Marítimo’s squad includes several Portuguese nationals and academy graduates, ensuring compliance with Primeira Liga registration requirements. The loan departure of David Freitas to Sintrense reflects the club’s commitment to developing young players through competitive minutes.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview: Marítimo’s return to the Primeira Liga brings increased revenue from broadcast rights and matchday income. The club has prioritised sustainable squad-building, with many arrivals secured on free transfers or loan deals. The sale of Carlos Daniel to Saudi second-tier side Al Jabalain provided additional funds, though Van der Gaag acknowledged the difficulty of replacing the joint top scorer from last season.
Contract Red Alerts: The club’s primary focus is survival, which would secure a second consecutive season of Primeira Liga revenue. The contracts of key performers like Adrián Butzke and Raphael Guzzo will require attention if the club establishes itself in the top flight.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch: David Freitas, the 20-year-old Madeiran centre-back and former U23 captain, has been loaned to Sintrense in the Campeonato de Portugal to gain competitive minutes. His development will be closely monitored, and he could return to challenge for a first-team role.
Notable Out on Loan: David Freitas (Sintrense) is the confirmed loan departure, with the club viewing the move as essential for his development in “a demanding competitive context.”
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Adrián Butzke (First Choice). Butzke has already scored one penalty this season and is the designated taker.
Direct Free-Kicks: Maxime Dominguez / Martín Tejón.
Corners & Crosses: Maxime Dominguez and Martín Tejón are the primary deliverers, with Paulo Henrique and Igor Julião offering alternatives from wide areas.
For Fantasy Primeira Liga managers, Adrián Butzke is the standout Marítimo asset given his penalty duties and role as the focal point of the attack. Martín Tejón’s goal involvement and set-piece duties make him a viable midfield option. Alfonso Pastor’s save volume, behind a defence that has conceded eight goals in five matches, could yield points in systems that reward goalkeeping interventions.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Marítimo enter October with two wins, one draw, and two defeats from five matches, sitting ninth with seven points. The 1-0 victory over Casa Pia on the opening day, in front of a sold-out Estádio dos Barreiros, demonstrated the connection between the team and its supporters that Van der Gaag has emphasised as crucial. The 3-0 defeat to Benfica was a reminder of the gulf in class at the top of the division, but it was a result that Van der Gaag’s side can learn from without derailing their season.
The primary objective is survival, and Van der Gaag has been explicit about the challenge: “Reaching there is not easy, staying there is also very difficult.” The squad possesses a blend of promotion-winning continuity and top-flight experience, with Guzzo, Szalai, and Fernandes providing the know-how that was lacking in previous promotion campaigns. The attacking burden rests on Butzke and Tejón, while Dominguez’s creativity must translate into consistent output.
The fixture list offers a challenging autumn, with trips to Moreirense and Arouca looming. But the Madeirans have already shown they can compete. If the defence holds, if Butzke scores, and if the Estádio dos Barreiros remains a fortress, Marítimo have the tools to secure a comfortable mid-table finish. The margin between survival and relegation is fine, but the foundation is solid, the coach is committed, and the spirit is unbreakable.
