Liga II roundup: Vizela and Vonic continue to impress | OneFootball

It’s getting to crunch time in the Liga II promotion race. Tondela and Vizela are in the box seat in the two automatic promotion spots with seven matches remaining, but Alverca have not given up the chase.

As we approach the end of the season, both the promotion and relegation battles are getting tighter and tighter. This week we saw the end of some battles for some teams.

Back to the drawing board for Académico

Académico de Viseu is one of them. The investment and the expectations were high for this team, who were always really close to the promotion spots. However, the lack of creation of goalscoring chances and the weak offence made the job very difficult, which culminated in this week’s 1-0 defeat against Benfica B. It was a must win match for the Viriathus, but they entered with a very defensive team.

The result was a loss against a powerful and direct opponent for the top spots in the league. Now, they are 9 points short of the playoff spot with just seven matches left to play. It is fair to say that their season has come to an end.

Torreense also almost ended their season by losing at home against FC Porto B. It was an absolute masterclass led by Vonic and Alarcon for the Dragões. The 4-2 loss was a hard hit for the Carnival town. Now lying six points short of the top spots, there might yet be a chance for this team to get a well-deserved promotion, but chances to get the points needed are running out.

Dramatic climax in Vizela

Especially as top spots seem to be well protected. Vizela has become an absolute Cinderela story. From looking like relegation candidates at the beginning of the season, the northerners have made it five straight wins with a thrilling 3-2 victory at home against Portimonense.

The Vizelenses, who had to twice come from behind and scored the winner deep into stoppage time, are now in a direct promotion spot. Vizela have won 10 and drawn 3 of their last 13 matches and have all the momentum to make a swift return to the top flight.

Vizela 3-2 Portimonense highlights

Alverca got back to winning ways and are sitting in the playoff spot and Tondela remain as undisputed leaders ready for a comeback to the main stage of Portuguese football.

At the bottom of the table, surprisingly, Mafra grabbed a win against an unrecognisable Felgueiras. A team that threatened to fly some higher flights is now on the verge of tumbling into the relegation battle as Mafra, Oliveirense (who lost this week) and FC Porto B are picking up their pace for the final rounds of the season.

Player of the week: Leonardo Vonic

I have never done it in maybe 20 roundups this season. I have never once repeated a player as player of the week. But this guy deserves it. Six goals in 9 matches for Leonardo Vonic in a team that was completely broken.

The transfer fee of 500,000 euros for a guy that was playing in the third division of Germany is looking a snip. What a scouting job by FC Porto. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a chance in the A team! A player to watch!