Braga’s coach warns that the match against Benfica will be very difficult.
Sporting Braga coach Carlos Vicens wants a team with “personality” on the ball when they host Benfica on Sunday (6:00 PM), in the 16th round of the League. The Minho team comes from a victory in the Portuguese Cup, but lost in the last round of the championship, away to Estoril. Vicens praised Mourinho and also stated that the best Sporting Braga is yet to come.
We know we’re facing a rival that’s been growing under their coach; the ideas are settling in and the team is improving. It’s going to be a very difficult and high-level game, and we’ll have to offer a better version of ourselves than we did against Estoril if we want to win. We’re motivated and eager to play a great game, but we’ll have to play very well to achieve the victory we all desire.
Clash of different football styles
I don’t think there’s a clash of styles. We came to Braga to work in a way that we believe in and consider will allow the team to perform well. The team has a lot to improve, we have to strive for excellence, and the best Sporting Braga is yet to come.
Praise for José Mourinho
Having someone like him in the league is very good for Portuguese football. We’re not discovering who José Mourinho is now; he’s a coach who has already put Portuguese football at the top of international football, admired for everything he has achieved in different countries and clubs, reinventing himself, seeking alternatives to remain competitive.
Sp. Braga will have to be prepared to be strong both with and without the ball.
It’s a difficult game to predict, but there will be all sorts of moments and we have to be able to be ready for the eventualities of the game, such as being closer to our goal at times and, with the ball, having personality and not losing it. Our pressure will also be important.
Teams separated by ten points.
We’re going into the game motivated, we want to get back to winning ways in the League, we’re happy with the victory in the Portuguese Cup, but to play a good game we have to do many things well, have a high level of energy and be compact, he said.
Lagerbielke left the game before halftime against Caldas, but should be fit to play.
We had that little scare, he was carrying some physical strain, but I don’t think there’s a risk of injury. There’s still training today, but I’m confident he’ll be ready.