Sporting Braga demonstrated its squad depth and commitment with a commanding 4-0 victory over Arouca, climbing to sixth place in Portugal’s top football league while maintaining ambitions across four competitions.
Coach Carlos Vicens highlighted the team’s unwavering commitment following the decisive win. He emphasized that the squad remains “alive and very eager in four competitions,” underscoring the necessity for every player to contribute.
“We are a team that cannot rely only on 12 or 13 players. It’s impossible,” Vicens stated. He explained that a healthy internal competition among players drives performance, making selection challenging due to the high level of effort from everyone.
The match saw Braga secure three goals in the first half, effectively deciding the outcome early on. Arouca’s Jose Fontán received a red card just 15 minutes into the game, an incident that significantly impacted the opposition’s strategy and performance.
Vicens praised his team for executing their game plan against Arouca, which often seeks to control the ball. He noted Braga’s effective pressing and rapid ball recovery, which prevented attacks and allowed them to dominate.
The coach also singled out captain Ricardo Horta for his exceptional form and dedication. Horta’s offensive contributions and strong defensive work ethic have been a “major surprise,” according to Vicens.
Vicens credited Horta’s ongoing commitment to improvement as a model for the entire squad. He added that the team’s ability to maintain high intensity in the second half is a direct result of substitutes bringing motivation and seriousness to the field.