Following a tense survival campaign that saw three different managers occupy the dugout before Cristiano Bacci secured safety in the final three matches, Estrela da Amadora enters 2026/27 under new head coach Pepa with a significantly rebuilt squad, a promising unbeaten start to the Primeira Liga season, and the modest but vital ambition of establishing stability in Portugal’s top flight.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Pepa
Pepa was appointed in June 2026 on a two-year contract, succeeding Cristiano Bacci, who had guided the club to survival but was not invited to continue. The 45-year-old Portuguese coach returns to his homeland after a varied international career that included spells at Al Tai in Saudi Arabia, Cruzeiro in Brazil, and Al Ahli in Qatar before a stint at Sport Recife. The club described the appointment as “a firm bet on a project coach, with a well-defined identity, vast experience at the highest level, and a career marked by the development of players, competitive ambition, and the construction of solid and competitive teams”.
Tactical Philosophy
Pepa’s preferred formation is 4-4-2, though he has demonstrated flexibility in his opening matches, alternating between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 depending on the opponent. The early-season evidence suggests a pragmatic approach built on defensive organisation and efficient attacking. Estrela remain unbeaten after five Primeira Liga matches, with two wins and three draws, scoring eleven goals and conceding nine — a return that reflects both attacking promise and defensive vulnerability.
Preferred Formations
4-4-2 / 4-3-3 in possession.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Estrela’s summer window was one of significant turnover as Pepa reshaped the squad according to his vision. The club secured several high-profile loan additions, including Brazilian goalkeeper Léo Linck from Botafogo and Croatian midfielder Lovro Zvonarek from Bayern Munich, while also investing €4.5 million in centre-back Otávio.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otávio | Centre-Back | — | €4.5m |
| Lovro Zvonarek | Central Midfielder | Bayern Munich | €1.5m |
| Léo Linck | Goalkeeper | Botafogo | Loan |
| Lucas Mincarelli | Left-Back | Montpellier | Free |
| Rafa Soares | Left-Back | Famalicão | Free |
| Beni Souza | Forward | Benfica | Free |
| Chilohem Onuoha | Striker | — | Undisclosed |
| Sydney van Hooijdonk | Striker | — | Loan |
| Jeremy Arévalo | Forward | VfB Stuttgart | Loan |
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Léo Linck (#1): The Brazilian goalkeeper arrived on loan from Botafogo and has been entrusted with the starting role, bringing Brazilian top-flight experience to the Estádio José Gomes. At 24, his shot-stopping and command of the penalty area provide a reassuring presence behind an evolving defensive line.
Diogo Pinto (#12): The Portuguese goalkeeper provides reliable backup coverage, his familiarity with the demands of the Primeira Liga making him a dependable squad member.
Diogo Grilo (#31): The academy graduate serves as third-choice option, gaining valuable exposure to first-team standards.
Defenders
Otávio (#4): The €4.5 million arrival represents Estrela’s most significant summer investment, a statement of intent from a club typically operating on a modest budget. The Brazilian centre-back’s physicality and aerial dominance anchor Pepa’s defensive structure, and his partnership with the returning loanees will be crucial to the club’s survival ambitions.
Bernardo Schappo (#5): The Brazilian centre-back remains a commanding presence in the heart of defence, his experience from previous seasons providing continuity within a rebuilt squad.
Stefan Lekovic (#3): The Serbian defender, who spent last season on loan, has made his move permanent and offers composure on the ball and reading of the game.
Atanas Chernev (#2): The Bulgarian defender returned from his loan at Kaiserslautern and has reintegrated into the first-team squad, providing versatility across the backline.
Lucas Mincarelli (#6): The French left-back arrived from Montpellier, bringing Ligue 1 experience to the left flank. His attacking thrust and defensive discipline offer balance in Pepa’s structure.
Rafa Soares (#22): The Portuguese left-back joined on a free transfer from Famalicão, adding Primeira Liga know-how and competition on the left side of defence.
Jefferson Encada (#21): The Guinea-Bissau international right-back provides energy and overlapping runs on the right flank, his experience within the squad valuable as new arrivals integrate.
Issiar Dramé (#15): The French defender arrived on a free transfer in mid-August, adding further depth and physical presence to the defensive core.
Max Scholze (#13): The young German defender continues his development within the first-team environment, gaining exposure to Pepa’s demands.
Midfielders
Lovro Zvonarek (#10): The Croatian attacking midfielder arrived from Bayern Munich for €1.5 million, representing a significant coup for a club of Estrela’s stature. At 21, Zvonarek brings elite academy pedigree and creativity to the attacking midfield role, his development benefiting from regular Primeira Liga minutes.
Eddy Doué (#8): The French midfielder provides physical presence and box-to-box energy in the engine room, his work rate making him a reliable option in Pepa’s structure.
Kevin Jansson (#14): The Swedish midfielder offers tactical discipline and progressive passing from central areas, his composure valuable within a youthful squad.
Santiago Serra (#16): The young Portuguese midfielder was promoted from the under-23 squad and has earned Pepa’s trust through consistent performances.
Tiago Pinto (#18): Another academy graduate, Pinto has integrated into the first-team squad and provides additional depth in central areas.
Tom Moustier (#20): The French midfielder offers technical quality and creativity in advanced positions, providing a different dimension to Estrela’s attacking options.
Robinho (#17): The Brazilian midfielder provides depth and competition in the engine room, his experience adding stability to a youthful group.
Forwards
Chilohem Onuoha (#9): The Nigerian striker arrived as part of Estrela’s attacking reinforcement, bringing physical presence and finishing instincts to the forward line. His adaptation to Portuguese football will be closely monitored.
Beni Souza (#11): The Portuguese forward joined from Benfica, seeking regular first-team football after developing in the Eagles’ academy. His movement and technical quality offer a different profile to the more physical Onuoha.
Sydney van Hooijdonk (#19): The Dutch striker arrived on loan, bringing Eredivisie and Championship experience to Estrela’s attacking options. His height and hold-up play provide a focal point for Pepa’s attacking structure.
Jeremy Arévalo (#27): The Ecuadorian forward arrived on loan from VfB Stuttgart on deadline day, having been part of Ecuador’s World Cup squad. At 21, his pace and finishing instincts offer significant potential, though he faces competition for starting minutes.
Ianis Stoica (#7): The Romanian winger provides direct running and creativity from wide areas, his experience across European leagues adding a different dimension to Estrela’s attacking play.
Abraham Marcus (#23): The Portuguese forward offers depth across the attacking line, his versatility providing Pepa with tactical flexibility.
Leandro Antonetti (#29): The young forward continues his development within the first-team squad, gaining exposure to Primeira Liga football.
Alisson (#30): The Brazilian forward adds further depth to the attacking options, his dribbling ability offering an outlet in transition.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Bernardo Schappo
The Brazilian centre-back wears the armband and embodies the standards Pepa demands. His experience within the squad and defensive authority anchor a team integrating numerous new arrivals.
The Leadership Committee
Otávio and Kevin Jansson serve as senior voices alongside Schappo, their combined experience providing essential guidance through a challenging campaign.
Homegrown Quota Check
With Santiago Serra, Tiago Pinto, Diogo Grilo, and several academy graduates in the first-team squad, Estrela maintains a strong connection to their youth pipeline. The club’s promotion of five players from the under-23 squad reflects a commitment to internal development.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview
Estrela’s summer business was conducted with financial prudence, the €4.5 million investment in Otávio representing the club’s most significant outlay. The arrivals of Zvonarek (€1.5m) and several free transfers and loans reflect a strategy of balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term sustainability.
Contract Red Alerts
Securing the permanent signatures of key loan performers, particularly Léo Linck and Sydney van Hooijdonk, will be a priority if Primeira Liga status is retained. The club’s ability to retain its most valuable assets — Otávio and Zvonarek will inevitably attract attention — will test the project’s sustainability.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch
Santiago Serra (#16) has earned significant minutes after his promotion from the under-23 squad, his development under Pepa’s guidance suggesting a bright future. Tiago Pinto (#18) and Pedro Vanga have also been integrated into the first-team environment.
Notable Out on Loan
Luís Caica joined Belenenses on loan, while Alexandre Sola moved to Kiryat Shmona in Israel. João Resende departed to Farense, and Manu joined Radomiak Radom in Poland.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Chilohem Onuoha (First Choice) / Beni Souza (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Lovro Zvonarek / Ianis Stoica.
Corners & Crosses: Ianis Stoica / Rafa Soares.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Estrela da Amadora enters 2026/27 with genuine momentum and a clear sense of direction under new head coach Pepa. The early-season evidence is compelling: five matches unbeaten, eleven goals scored, and a sixth-place standing that has surprised those who predicted another relegation battle.
The attacking output has been the standout feature. The 2-2 draw with Sporting on the opening day demonstrated Estrela’s capacity to compete with Portugal’s elite, while the 2-1 victory over Braga at the Estádio José Gomes underlined the team’s growing confidence. Pepa’s attacking structure, built around the creativity of Zvonarek and the physical presence of Onuoha and van Hooijdonk, has produced goals from multiple sources.
The defensive record — nine goals conceded in five matches — remains a work in progress, but the unbeaten run suggests Pepa has instilled a resilience that was absent in previous campaigns. The additions of Otávio and the reintegration of Schappo and Lekovic provide a foundation to build upon.
The challenges ahead are substantial. The fixture list will test squad depth as autumn turns to winter, and the club’s reliance on loan players for key positions carries inherent risk. But the ingredients for a successful survival campaign are present: a tactically astute coach, a goalscoring threat in Onuoha, creativity in Zvonarek, and a squad that has embraced the collective mentality Pepa demands. The Estádio José Gomes faithful, who have endured years of struggle, are witnessing the early stages of something genuinely promising. If Estrela can maintain their momentum and navigate the unique challenges of the Primeira Liga, a season of genuine progress — rather than mere survival — is within reach.
