The final whistle blew, leaving a bitter taste for Sp. Braga fans. Their team had just drawn at home against AVS SAD, dropping points for the first time in the Liga Betclic. Carlos Vicens, the Braga coach, stepped forward to face the music. He praised his squad’s overall performance, yet couldn’t hide his frustration. It seems the key ingredients missing were a steady hand for the final pass and a calm head when facing the goal.
When Dominance Isn’t Enough
Vicens described the match as Braga’s best since he took the reins. He highlighted their control and superiority over the opponent. “In these games, when we are so much better,” he explained, “and the other team tries to waste time, barely completes three passes, and creates nothing, we have to finish our chances.” He stressed the need for composure in the last moments. For Vicens, emotions betrayed them. His team had the game in their hands, but they failed to grab the win.
The coach felt a 3-0 or 4-0 scoreline would have been a fair reflection of the play. Conceding the second goal, he admitted, was what truly complicated things for his side. Despite the draw, he was “very satisfied” with the effort shown in the second half. Still, creating clearer chances remains a vital area for improvement. Those crucial moments in front of goal required more than just skill; they needed a cool mind.
Tough Questions and Clear Answers
When asked why Fran Navarro didn’t enter the game earlier, Vicens was direct. “Because it was the coach’s decision,” he stated, leaving no room for further debate. He also clarified that he didn’t see the team making “bad decisions.” Instead, he pinpointed a lack of urgency to find a teammate in the box to complete the play. Braga was clearly superior, but that superiority demanded a certain tranquility to convert their many attacks into goals.
Vicens wasn’t caught off guard by AVS’s game plan. “They didn’t surprise us,” he said. What truly shocked him were his own team’s errors. He viewed the match as a “good test” and a learning opportunity. He made it clear that the players “did everything they could” in the second half.
No Excuses, Just Lessons
The recent schedule has been demanding, with Braga playing six games in just seventeen days. However, Vicens quickly dismissed any thought of fatigue being an excuse. “We cannot use tiredness as a reason,” he asserted. The team must get better, complete more plays, and score more goals to secure victories. He wasn’t surprised by AVS’s time-wasting tactics either, noting they understood that intention from the very start of the match.
The two goals conceded were a point of discussion, but Vicens seemed unworried. “It doesn’t concern me,” he stated, though he emphasized the importance of minimizing errors. He believed the team didn’t relax; they kept pushing forward. However, two mistakes led to two opponent goals, chances that should never have been given. Vicens stressed not to look at these plays in isolation. He reiterated that it was their best game overall. The coach believes that such game control and superiority must translate into wins. He referenced past games against Tondela or Alverca where, even with less control, they were decisive in the box.