Naples “is a very strong team” but Sporting de Braga wants to “discuss the game” in the first round of Group C of the Champions League on Wednesday, Minho team coach Artur Jorge said on Tuesday.
“They are an opponent with a lot of individual quality, which translates into the strength of their team. Despite having changed coaches, after completely dominating Serie A last season, they retain that strength, which we want to counter with a quality team and with the same ambition, to be competitive and to be able to discuss the game,” said the coach at the press conference previewing the reception of the Italian champions.
Artur Jorge recalled the difficulty of the group, with Naples, Real Madrid and Union Berlin, who will test the Arsenal team, with “maximum demands”.
“This requires us to readjust our approach to the game, much more rigorous and committed, strategically better performing, to get to the level of what the game can bring us. We will play against the Italian champions, a very strong team, but we have the opportunity to discuss the game until the end,” he stressed.
Sporting de Braga suffered a clear defeat against Farense (3-1) in the last round, and Artur Jorge admitted that despite the Minho team having won six in nine official matches, “the start of the I League is not has been”. coinciding” with the team’s ambitions.
The coach attributed favoritism to Napoli in theoretical terms, which “could ease the emotional burden of the players”.
“We want to enjoy, but that is not playing for the sake of playing. Competition cannot be a problem, but the solution for our growth as a team and club. Balance is necessary if we meet expectations. We will have a Braga that will try not to to back down and try to win the game, it’s in the DNA of this team,” he said.
The Neapolitan team has recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat in the four rounds of the Italian championship, but Artur Jorge said he expects a “very strong” Naples.
“We saw the match with Lazio, where they lost [em casa 2-1], and with Genoa, where they drew after being 2-0 down, and it seemed like a saving for Wednesday. It is a team that keeps us on our toes. But I’m more concerned about my team, that Braga can have the internal focus and courage to look for winning the match,” he said.
When asked by the Italian press whether it would not be a risk for an almost forty-year-old central defender like José Fonte to mark the fast striker Victor Osimhen, the Portuguese coach replied: “My concern is how we are going to achieve the opposite.” goal and how Napoli’s central defenders, also in their thirties, will deal with Álvaro Djaló, Bruma, Abel Ruiz and Banza”.
Sporting de Braga and Nápoles will face each other at the Braga Municipal Stadium on Wednesday at 8 p.m., in a match refereed by Dutchman Serdar Gözübüyük.
Source: DN
