Napoli “is a very strong team”, but SC Braga wants to “discuss the match” on Wednesday, on the first day of Group C of the Champions League, the coach of the Minho team, Artur Jorge, said on Tuesday.
“They are a rival 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 maintain that strength, which we want to counteract, with a team of quality and with the same ambition, to be competitive and to be able to discuss the game,” said the coach, in the press conference prior to the reception of the Italian champion.
Artur Jorge recalled the difficulty of the group, with Naples, Real Madrid and Unión Berlin, which will test Arsenal, with “the maximum demand.”
“This requires us to readjust our approach to the game, much more rigorous and committed, strategically better realized, to be at the level of what the game can bring us. We will play against the Italian champion, a very strong team, but we have the possibility to discuss the game until the end,” he reinforced.
SC Braga comes from a clear defeat against Farense (3-1), on the last day, and Artur Jorge admitted that, although in nine official matches the Minho team has won six, “the start of the I Liga has not been “coinciding” with the team’s ambitions.
The coach attributed favoritism, in theoretical terms, to Naples, which could “relieve 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 rather the solution for our growth as a team and club. Balance is needed in the face of expectations. We will have a Braga that will try not to shrink and we will try to win the game “It’s the DNA of this team,” he said.
The Neapolitan team has two wins, a draw and a defeat in the four rounds of the Italian championship, but Artur Jorge said he expects a “very strong” Naples.
“We saw the match against Lazio, in which they lost [em casa 2-1], and with Genoa, where after a 2-0 loss they tied, and it seemed like a saving for Wednesday. It is a team that keeps us alert. But I am more worried about my team, that Braga can have the internal concentration and courage to have the ability to go in search of winning the game,” he stated.
Asked by the Italian press whether it would be a risk for an almost 40-year-old centre-back like José Fonte to mark the fast striker Victor Osimhen, the Portuguese coach responded: “My concern is how we are going to reach the rival goal and how the Napoli centre-backs , also in their thirties, will face Álvaro Djaló, Bruma, Abel Ruiz and Banza.”
SC Braga and Naples face each other starting at 8 p.m. this Wednesday, at the Municipal Stadium of Braga, in a match that will be refereed by the Dutchman Serdar Gözübüyük.
Source: TSF
