Moreirense Futebol Clube has a new protagonist: Serbian international Mateja Stjepanovic, who completed 32 appearances in his first regular season and confirms that the coach is satisfied, as are everyone at the club.

How was Stjepanovic's debut at Moreirense?

The under‑21 Serbian arrived at Moreirense in July 2024 and, unlike intermittent spells at Partizan, found continuity. He featured in almost all 32 matches of the campaign, playing both midfield and, out of necessity, central defence. Stjepanovic recalls that against Vitória de Guimarães he was “forced” to change position due to injuries, yet ended up being publicly praised by the coach.

What did the coach and teammates say?

In their first conversation, coach Vasco Botelho da Costa was transparent: “everyone fights for their place and I will always be honest with you.” Stjepanovic valued that honesty and noted that after a mistake that led to a goal against Vitória, the coach was the first to support him in the locker room, publicly thanking the player for playing out of position. Colleagues, including goalkeeper Lazar Carevic, also showed backing, reinforcing the team spirit.

How is life off the pitch?

The Serbian describes the club environment as “pleasant, relaxed and pressure‑free.” He has learned enough Portuguese to understand training instructions and no longer relies on an interpreter. He lives in the same building as Carevic, which makes daily interaction easy. Although he still wants to improve communication, he feels integrated and highlights the calmness of the Moreira de Cónegos community.

What impact does he have on the team’s performance?

With Stjepanovic’s regularity, Moreirense has kept a stable league position: 7th in Primeira Liga, 43 points, 12 wins, 7 draws and 15 losses from 34 games, with a recent form of DLWLW. The side has scored 37 goals and conceded 49, a -12 goal difference, sitting 45 points behind leaders FC Porto. The Serbian’s contributions, both defensive and offensive, have been vital in keeping the club away from the relegation zone.

What lies ahead for Stjepanovic?

The player aims to further improve his Portuguese and cement a starting role, whether in midfield or defence. The coach’s confidence and teammates’ support suggest he will remain a key figure in upcoming fixtures, especially in clashes with direct rivals like Santa Clara and Vitória de Guimarães. The future looks bright for the Serbian who already feels at home at Moreirense Futebol Clube.