Casa Pia coach João Pereira outlined his team’s underdog strategy to upset Sporting Braga, emphasizing superior effort and tactical rigor while aiming to exploit their opponent’s recent European exertions.
Pereira stated that for Casa Pia to secure a victory, his players must “run more and better” than their highly-rated opponents. He clarified that “better” referred to executing their game plan with precision and discipline to restrict Braga’s play.
The coach expressed hope that Braga’s recent participation in a Thursday Europa League fixture would give Casa Pia a physical advantage. “There is a Sporting Braga in the league and another in the Europa League,” Pereira noted, adding that his team would devise a strategy to capitalize on any potential fatigue.
The league match is scheduled for Sunday evening in Portugal.
Pereira openly acknowledged Braga’s favored status for the encounter. He suggested that this favoritism placed “added responsibility” on their opponent. Casa Pia intends to “counteract their favoritism and take advantage of their obligation to win,” he said.
The recent international break was beneficial for Casa Pia, allowing several sidelined players to recover. This has made the squad more competitive, according to Pereira.
He preferred to focus on the challenges Casa Pia intended to create for Braga, rather than discussing Braga’s inherent strengths. Pereira observed that Braga, like Casa Pia, features a “new squad, a new coach, and a team living a different moment” compared to the previous season.
Sunday’s game will also mark a reunion for Pereira with left-back Leonardo Lelo, a former captain at Casa Pia. Pereira plans to embrace Lelo and potentially ask for his shirt, a gesture he extends to all former players who have helped him. He described Lelo as a “reference” for Casa Pia’s youth academy and believes he could become a national team player in the future.