The Rewriting of a Legacy - A Vitória SC Save

[Spiklas]

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In 1994/95, Vitória Sport Clube — the symbol of a city that breathes passion and identity — set out to make its mark on Portuguese football. In a league dominated by the usual trio, the club from Guimarães dreams of breaking barriers and being recognized among the greats.


This save will be more than just a journey back in time; it is the building of an epic, a story aiming to transform Vitória into an undeniable force in Europe. From D. Afonso Henriques to the future, the goal is simple — to raise Vitória to the level it truly deserves.

 

[Spiklas]

Well, this is the first save I’m doing on this page. For a long time, I wondered if there was any forum like this, and with the announcement of FM26 I searched even deeper and came across this one. I read some of your stories and they really gave me the urge to write as well. I found a retro database and here we are. I’m going to do this save with Vitória, my Braga’s rivals. I appreciate all feedback, and any tips to improve the save will be very welcome. Here we go:

Rewriting a Story – Vitória de Guimarães 1994/1995
Some clubs live to compete… and some are born to fight. Vitória Sport Clube, the greatest symbol of the cradle-city of the nation, begins this journey in 1994/1995 with a clear mission: to rewrite its history.


The season starts in a Portuguese football landscape dominated by the so-called “big three,” where titles always seem reserved for Benfica, Porto, and Sporting. But in Guimarães, there is ambition, grit, and the passion of a people who believe they can break barriers.


The challenge will be twofold:


In the present (the 90s) – to build a competitive team capable of establishing itself as the fourth force in the country, ready to trouble the giants on every front.


In the future (2025/2026) – to transform Vitória into a solid and respected European reference, placing the club’s name alongside the great symbols of continental football.


With figures like Zé Carlos, Pedro Barbosa, Zahovic, and Vorkapic, the squad will have to surpass itself in every match. The ambition is not just to participate, but to conquer: European places, national finals, and perhaps… something greater.


At Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, the battle cry will always echo:
“Conquistadores, let’s fight!”


This is the beginning of an epic journey, where past and future collide. Vitória will not be just another club… it will be a legend in the making.

The manager has set the 4-4-1-1 as the base system for the start of the season, aiming for a balanced team with offensive presence through the second striker. However, looking at the current squad, the application of this tactic proves complicated, mainly due to the lack of quality and depth on the wings. Therefore, this will only be a viable option if the transfer market allows for proper reinforcements in those positions. Until then, the strategy may need to be adjusted to the reality of the group available.

As an alternative to the 4-4-1-1, the manager has also prepared a 4-4-2 with a narrow diamond. This approach emphasizes interior play, strengthening presence in midfield and creating greater connection between the lines. The idea is to exploit the creativity of the attacking midfielder and the mobility of the two forwards, while ensuring defensive solidity with a deeper-lying defensive midfielder. Although it sacrifices width, this tactic could be crucial whenever the team needs to control the center of the pitch and impose a more compact and intense rhythm.

Vitória de Guimarães Squad – Rewriting a Story


Goalkeepers
In the deepest position, we have two respected guardians: Zé Carlos and Nuno Espírito Santos. The starting spot belongs to Zé Carlos, who will have the mission of providing security to the backline. However, we will look to improve in the transfer market.


Central Defense
At the heart of the defense, the chosen duo will be Samuel on the right and Tanta on the left. On the bench, Carlitos and Vítor Silva are waiting for their opportunity to prove themselves. Matias could also take on the role of an alternative… if he doesn’t leave in the market.


Fullbacks
Here lies the first major challenge. Quality and depth are limited. Quim Berto takes the left flank and José Carlos the right. The objective is clear: to reinforce the defensive wings in the transfer market.

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Midfield
In the center of the pitch, creativity and balance have their own names. Pedro Barbosa will be the maestro on the left, while Pedro Martins will play deeper, ready to provide defensive stability whenever needed. Amily N’dinga will rotate with Martins, offering freshness and muscle. Kupresanin and Lemba will be on the sidelines, watching closely, in case the market doesn’t bring stronger options.


Wingers
Pace and flair will come from Agostinho and Ricardo Lopes, the only natural options for the flanks. If reinforcements don’t arrive, the tactics will have to adapt to the lack of alternatives.


Number 10
In the most creative position, the number 10 shirt will be worn by Zahovic, who will carry the burden of offensive imagination. Pedro Barbosa and Ricardo Lopes can also step into the attacking midfielder role whenever necessary.

Attack
Up front, the main reference will be Vorkapic, with Gilmar Estevam always ready to fight for the starting spot. Tlemcani appears as a substitute or bargaining chip, depending on the market. Once again, Ricardo Lopes demonstrates his versatility, able to occupy the position if necessary.

This is how the league began in 1994/1995. Tirsense? I had no idea they even featured in the first edition of the league. We are pegged for fifth place in the table, but the goal from the very first season is to fight for fourth and stay not too far from third.

We have €5 million available for transfers and a large wage budget to attack the market this summer. I’m not sure if it’s normal to have so much money for salaries or if it was something defined by whoever created the database, but the truth is — it’s there, and it will certainly be put to good use.

 

[misterioBean]

Good to see someone else take Vitória and try to make them a Portuguese powerhouse. Also love the twist of yours taking place in the past, which is something I don't think I ever saw anyone doing with a team like Vitória.

Regarding the finances, I'm pretty sure the wage budget is the one on the default database and the creator of this one didn't change it but did reduce the player wages. Vitória has a lot of players on the default version earning between 10k-30k monthly. However, the 5 million available on the transfer budget are quite a stretch since I'm pretty sure Vitória was never a wealthy club, maybe in the time of Pimenta Machado there was a little more to throw around but 5 million back then was a lot of money.

Anyways, I hope you have fun with this save and I hope you can turn Vitória into the club the fans desearve.

 

[Spiklas]

Good to see someone else take Vitória and try to make them a Portuguese powerhouse. Also love the twist of yours taking place in the past, which is something I don't think I ever saw anyone doing with a team like Vitória.

Regarding the finances, I'm pretty sure the wage budget is the one on the default database and the creator of this one didn't change it but did reduce the player wages. Vitória has a lot of players on the default version earning between 10k-30k monthly. However, the 5 million available on the transfer budget are quite a stretch since I'm pretty sure Vitória was never a wealthy club, maybe in the time of Pimenta Machado there was a little more to throw around but 5 million back then was a lot of money.

Anyways, I hope you have fun with this save and I hope you can turn Vitória into the club the fans desearve.

Thank you. And I am having fun with it.

 

[Spiklas]

Vitória wants to show it is here to fight — the team has been reshaped and comes with its sword freshly sharpened for the war that will be 94/95.

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The season couldn’t have started any better. Pre-season was marked by emphatic thrashings, which not only boosted the team’s confidence but also began to solidify the manager’s ideas. Comfortable wins against Espinho (6-1), our B team (4-0), Paredes (4-0), Vila Meã (6-2), and Valadares Gaia (8-0) showed early on a team hungry for goals and capable of imposing its football regardless of the opponent.

Transfers & Squad Moves


Mario Kempes, a 40-year-old striker coming from Indonesia, arrived to be Vorkapic’s backup, bringing with him impressive stats for his age. However, after a very poor pre-season, it became clear he didn’t fit the squad and ended up being loaned out to Académica de Coimbra, where he’ll play in the lower division.


David Weir, the Scotsman, was signed to play as a defensive inverted right-back but ended up fixed as a center-back after Samuel and Vítor Silva departed for France.


Giorgio Papais strengthens the left wing, a position where depth was clearly lacking.


Filgueira joined as an option for central defense, originally targeted after Setúbal made a bid for Tanta (who eventually left for Estrela da Amadora).


Stuart Munro was another addition to bring rotation to the left side of the defense.


Ruslan Nigmatullin, just 19 years old, came in to take the number one spot between the posts. A clear investment for the future, he could be the long-term guardian of our goal.


Norberto Solano will be fundamental on the right wing, an area that was short on both quality and alternatives.


Sami Hyypiä arrived to command the center of the defense, becoming the key reference in the backline.


Vincent Candela was signed for the left-back role, capable of covering the whole flank and giving offensive freedom to the winger on that side.


Marcelo Tejera will get minutes whenever Zahovic or Pedro Barbosa need rest. He comes in to fill the gaps left by N’dinga and Kupresanin.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was initially thought of as Vorkapic’s backup but ended up loaned to NEC in the Netherlands, who will fully cover his wages. We decided to trust Estevam as the alternative for this season.


Jean-Paul Van Gastel, the most expensive signing of the summer, brings quality and versatility across the whole attacking sector. He will be heavily used throughout the season.


Ivan Miller was the final addition, signed on deadline day after the board highlighted the lack of depth on the right wing.


We also promoted Fernando Meira to train with the senior squad.


We managed to keep Zahovic, who was drawing interest from clubs like Norwich and Lyon, but since no offers came in, we ended up renewing his contract. We also kept Pedro Barbosa, who had expressed a desire to leave at the end of the season and was even approached by Norwich. However, their offer was far below the value he represents to our squad this year. We refused, he was upset at the time, but the situation was resolved and he eventually renewed for another season.


Quim Berto, who attracted interest from around 15 teams including Spain and Italy, also stayed, since no concrete bids arrived. Vorkapic and Pedro Martins were the other two players we managed to hold onto.


These five are fundamental pieces for what we want to build this season, and at least until January, they will remain with us to help push the team forward.

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In the League Cup, the start was simply devastating: an 8-0 away win against Nacional made it clear that the team was ready to compete on any stage. Next came Belenenses, an opponent of another level, but the response was just as positive — a 3-2 victory in a balanced yet controlled match.


In the group stage, we will face Leiria and Sporting.

In the league, the debut couldn’t have been more symbolic: against FC Porto, one of the main title contenders, the team won 3-1 at the Dragão, sending a clear message across the country. A week later, another show of strength — a 3-2 win against Sporting, this time at home, consolidating the perfect start. Victories over União da Madeira (2-1) and Beira-Mar (3-1) followed, closing August with four wins out of four in the Primeira Divisão.


In summary: a devastating pre-season, a strong entry in the League Cup and, above all, a dream start to the league campaign. This team doesn’t seem willing to just make up the numbers — it is ready to challenge the giants and fight for the top spots from day one.


To cap off a long August, we had every reason to celebrate: I won the Manager of the Month award, Norberto Solano was named Young Player of the Month, and Quim Berto picked up the Defender of the Month award.