Celtic Insights: Pep Guardiola Protégé Carlos Vicens Aims to Shine with Braga
Braga’s Transition Under Vicens: A New Era in European Football
Vicens’ Journey from Manchester City to Braga
Vicens’ career trajectory showcases an impressive evolution from an intern at Manchester City to a formidable coaching presence. His foundational years at Manchester City included roles from assisting under-12s and 13s to eventually becoming the under-18 coach. His adeptness caught the attention of one of the most revered figures in modern football, Pep Guardiola, in 2021. Opting to carve his own path, Vicens took the helm at Braga after the departure of Carlos Carvalhal.
Braga’s Early Matches Under New Leadership
Vicens’ initiation at Braga commenced with a challenging 0-0 away draw against Levski Sofia in the Europa League’s second qualifying round, followed up by a tightly contested extra-time victory back home. This initial struggle was soon overshadowed by an impressive 4-1 aggregate triumph over Cluj and consecutive 3-0 wins in the league.
- First Match: 0-0 draw against Levski Sofia
- Victory: 4-1 aggregate win over Cluj
- League Performance: Two 3-0 victories
Challenges Facing Braga
Despite a promising start, challenges soon emerged. A draw against AVS, the league’s bottom club, signaled potential difficulties. Subsequently, Braga failed to secure victories in four consecutive league fixtures, suffering losses at home and stirring dissatisfaction among the supporters.
Historical Context and European Campaigns
Braga’s upcoming visit to Celtic Park revives memories of their previous encounter in August 2010 during Champions League qualifiers. Although Celtic secured a 2-1 victory in the return leg, it wasn’t sufficient to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit. That season marked Braga’s finest European campaign as they progressed to the Europa League final, only to be defeated by Porto.
Braga’s more recent European adventures have seen mixed success. Notably, they reached the quarter-finals in 2022, losing to Rangers. Despite victories over notable teams like Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hoffenheim, and Lazio last season, they narrowly missed advancing due to finishing just behind Fenerbahce.
Conclusion
As Braga prepares for the challenges ahead, Vicens’ leadership will be pivotal for their aspirations in European football. The journey from a work-experience role to steering one of Europe’s emerging teams is testament to Vicens’ dedication and expertise.
