C.D. Nacional - History

History

Nacional reached the first division for the first time ever in the mid-90s, returning again in 2002–03. The following season was arguably the best ever season, as the side finished fourth in the league, just squeaking past Sporting Clube de Braga. In that season, three of its key players were Paulo Assunção, a defensive midfielder, and goal-machine Adriano, who netted 19 times. Both would later go to F.C. Porto, while the third key player, winger Miguelito, joined Sport Lisboa e Benfica in 2006.

Nacional also had a quarter-final run in the domestic cup, and would lose in the first round of the subsequent 2004–05 UEFA Cup, being defeated twice by Sevilla FC. In 2006–07's edition, more of the same occurred with two early losses to FC Rapid Bucureşti.

In the 2008–09 season, Nacional again edged Braga for the final fourth spot, mainly courtesy of Nenê, who scored 20 goals and won the Golden Boot honor. The side also reached the last-four in the Portuguese Cup, losing on aggregate 5–4 to Paços de Ferreira, with the decider coming at the Estádio da Madeira in the 90th minute.

2009–10 started without Nenê, who was sold to Cagliari Calcio for a club-record fee of €4.5 million. In August 2009, however, the club managed to defeat former UEFA Super Cup winners FC Zenit St. Petersburg in the UEFA Europa League last round prior to the group stages; after a 4–3 home win, youngster Rúben Micael scored another last-minute goal, as the club was trailing 1–0 in Russia. In the next round, Nacional was drawn alongside Athletic Bilbao, FK Austria Wien, and SV Werder Bremen; the Austrians were beaten 5–1 in Madeira, but the Portuguese did not progress to the knockout stages. In August 2011, Nacional lost 3-0 on aggregate in the final round of Europa league qualifying to Birmingham City, a side in the second division of English football.