Alverca kicked off Sérgio Ferreira's era with a win: 1‑0 over UD Leiria on the morning of July 11 in Palmela. Cameroonian forward Marco Essimi, 27, scored the only goal in the second half, giving the new coach his first triumph.

How did the match unfold?

The fixture, not listed in the original pre‑season schedule, became the first practical test for Sérgio Ferreira. Alverca dominated possession for the first 30 minutes but only broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Essimi, operating on the left wing, cut inside and struck low to the left corner. Leiria's goalkeeper tried, but the shot was uncatchable. The rest of the game saw Alverca control the tempo, preserving the lead until the final whistle.

Who is Marco Essimi?

Essimi arrived at the club in early July from a modest Cameroonian side where he was a regular scorer. He prefers the left flank but can play across all three attacking channels, giving Sérgio Ferreira tactical flexibility. In his debut minutes, he displayed energy and finishing ability—traits the coach highlighted as essential for revitalising the team's attack.

What does this mean for pre‑season?

The win shows Alverca's week‑long ball work is bearing fruit. The next match is against Casa Pia on Wednesday, followed by fixtures versus Belenenses (July 17), Estoril (July 22), Mafra (July 25) and Sporting B (August 1). These games will shape the squad before the league starts, where Alverca faces FC Porto at the Dragão on August 8.

Where does Alverca stand right now?

Despite the promising pre‑season start, the side sits 11th in the Primeira Liga with 39 points (10 wins, 9 draws, 15 losses from 34 games) and a recent form of LDLWL. This season has been tough, with 35 goals scored and 52 conceded, leaving them 49 points behind leaders FC Porto. The last official result was a 1‑0 loss to Famalicão on May 16, 2026.

What’s the next step?

Sérgio Ferreira now must turn the energy shown against Leiria into consistency throughout the campaign. The upcoming clash with Casa Pia will be crucial to test defensive solidity and Essimi's creativity. If the team maintains this intensity, they could improve their league standing and close the gap to the top.

Alverca enters the decisive phase of pre‑season with renewed confidence, yet plenty of work remains to rewrite the story of the current campaign.