Sometimes, a draw feels like a victory in disguise. That seems to be the mood around the Sp. Braga camp after their 0-0 stalemate with Levski Sofia. The match was the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie. Coach Carlos Vicens saw plenty to be happy about, even without a goal. He believes his squad will be much stronger for the return match at home next week.
Vicens admitted he would have preferred a win. But he quickly added perspective. Levski Sofia had a two-week head start in preparation and more games under their belt. Considering that, the draw felt like a good challenge met. He shared his pride in the players. He liked how they handled the game and how they performed. The coach stated, “No regrets.” He truly believes his team will improve by next week. He expects their home fans to give them an extra boost. The schedule gets busy, with two games a week coming up, but Vicens is confident his team will get better.
Facing Levski Sofia was not easy. Vicens praised their opponents, describing them as highly organized and well-trained. He noted their coach, Julio, is very experienced. “You can see the good work Julio is doing,” Vicens remarked. He also highlighted Levski’s tricky style. They can play good football, but they also hurt teams with direct attacks and set pieces. Breaking them down was a real test. Vicens knows they are a resilient side. They showed they can “suffer” – meaning they can defend deeply and soak up pressure – in their previous match against Hapoel.