Braga Aims to Revise Match Records in Quest for Victory against Casa Pia
Freshened Up and Ready to Roll: Let's dive into the latest scoop about Sporting de Braga, who've found themselves stuck in a 1-1 draw streak against Santa Clara and Famalicão, allowing FC Porto to nab third place - but only momentarily, as both teams are now level on points (65).
Carlos Carvalhal, the Braga coach, has acknowledged that his squad needs to rectify their initial missteps in the past couple of games. The team gathered this week to analyze their early mishaps, focusing on the first ten minutes of each match where they faltered. Fortunately, according to Carvalhal, it wasn't due to a lack of spirit or enthusiasm - the issues, even identified by the players, were more technical in nature.
Braga will be looking to shake off these early woes and come out firing against Casa Pia in Rio Maior, aiming for the coveted three points. Carvalhal isn't too concerned about their recent setbacks, attributing the lack of initial aggression to simple positioning mistakes that throw the team off balance.
Niakaté, João Moutinho, Racic, Zalazar, and Gabri Martínez might face the benches against Benfica if they pick up another yellow in the upcoming game, but Carvalhal isn't ready to manage his team based on disciplinary issues. He reiterated that the team's morale is high, and he even encourages a more aggressive approach.
In the race for third place, goal difference could play a crucial role, but Carvalhal remains cautious about predicting a landslide victory. He believes it's disrespectful to underestimate opponents and maintain such a mindset. His intent, he claims, is to win - and then carefully consider the math.
Braga's President, António Salvador, has recently announced his plans for another four-year term, with aspirations of leading the club to a national championship. While Carvalhal remains mum on the topic until the end of the season, he admitted that the president's ambition undoubtedly raised the bar for the team.
Carvalhal himself will be on the sidelines nursing an injured shoulder after colliding with a opposing player during the last game. Central defender Paulo Oliveira returns to the options after serving his suspension.
Sporting de Braga, in fourth place with 65 points, will battle eighth-placed Casa Pia on the 20:30 kickoff at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior. The game will be refereed by Luís Godinho, from the Évora association.
- Despite the current 1-1 draw streak against Santa Clara and Famalicão, allowing FC Porto to temporarily claim third place in European-leagues like the Premier-league, Sporting de Braga aims to dislocate their early woes and showcase their true aggressiveness during the upcoming sports event against Casa Pia.
- Braga's coach, Carlos Carvalhal, has identified technical issues as the cause for the team's faltering in the initial ten minutes of games, but he believes this lack of initial aggression is due to simple positioning mistakes that throw the team off balance.
- Niakaté, João Moutinho, Racic, Zalazar, and Gabri Martínez might be dislocated from the starting lineup if they pick up another yellow card in the upcoming game against Benfica, but Carvalhal is encouraged by the team's high morale and even encourages a more aggressive approach.
- With a goal difference potentially playing a crucial role in the race for third place, Carvalhal remains cautious and respectful towards their opponents, rather than underestimating them and focus solely on the math.
- With Braga's President, António Salvador, aspiring for another four-year term and aiming to lead the club to a national championship, Carvalhal is conscious that this ambition has raised the bar for the team, further fueling their determination to achieve success in various sports, including football.
