Juan Bezares, the coach for Lincoln Red Imps, has a tough task ahead. His team faces Sp. Braga again at the Pedreira stadium. The first game in the Europa League playoff round was a challenge, with Sp. Braga winning 4-0. Despite this big hurdle, Bezares showered praise on their strong opponent. He wants his team to leave a lasting, positive mark this time around.
Bezares knows the match will be incredibly difficult. The overall score makes advancing seem almost impossible. Yet, he sees their presence here as a victory in itself, a reward for their hard work. He described his club as a small team with a giant heart. Being on this stage is a huge honor for them. The coach promised his players would fight tirelessly to honor their badge. They aim to rise to the occasion.
The team has prepared well for this round. Their goal remains simple: they want to win the game tomorrow. Bezares acknowledges Sp. Braga is a top-tier team, improving every week. However, he pointed out their recent 2-2 draw in another match, noting they faced some difficulties. Lincoln Red Imps plans to use that information to their advantage.
When asked about his starting lineup, Bezares made it clear: he won’t be giving out any freebies. He confirmed they will field their strongest eleven. The team came to win and to make a superb impression. There is one exception, though. The only “gift” he mentioned goes to Lee Casciaro, a 43-year-old player. Casciaro deserves it for all he’s given the club, even during times when he wasn’t getting paid. Bezares kept it a bit mysterious, saying he wasn’t sure if Casciaro would start, only that he would definitely play.
Sp. Braga truly boasts two excellent squads, full of quality players. Whether they use their usual starters or bring in substitutes, those players will still perform well. Bezares repeated that being here against a historic club like Sp. Braga is a huge prize. But he quickly warned against underestimating his team. He stated that no one should expect his team to sit back with five or six defenders. Instead, he promised a bold approach.