MIDDLESBROUGH'S three senior summer signings all featured as Michael Carrick's side kicked off their summer campaign in a behind closed doors friendly in Portugal.
Boro lost 2-0 to Portuguese top flight side Vitoria, who are well ahead in their own preparations for the coming campaign having played three friendlies before Saturday's game. Vitoria scored both goals in the second half.
Luke Ayling, Delano Burgzorg and Aidan Morris all featured for Boro, with Carrick naming a completely different XI for each half as well as making further substitutions. For Burgzorg and Morris, it was their first taste of action for Boro since joining the club this summer.
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Carrick will also have been pleased to see a string of crucial senior players who were injured at the back end of last season get some minutes under their belt. Hayden Hackney, Josh Coburn, Dael Fry and Riley McGree all played some part.
The game against Vitoria, who finished fifth in the Primeira Liga last season, brings an end to Boro's training stint in Portugal.
Carrick's side will start their domestic summer campaign with a friendly against League One Bolton at Bishop Auckland next Saturday.
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