Europa League
Carlos Vicens, Guardiola’s Right-Hand Man, Takes Europe by Storm: “Our Ambition Is Total”
One match stands between “his” Braga and a second Europa League semifinal in the club’s history.
Carlos Vicens stepping off the Braga team bus.
GETTY IMAGES
ALBERTO RUBIO
It has taken only a few months for Juan Carlos Vicens Gómez (born in Colonia de Sant Jordi, 1983) to be in contention for the “breakthrough coach” award in his debut as a first-team boss in professional football.
“When Braga called me, Guardiola said: ‘Take it, don’t hesitate,’” the coach told MARCA. Vicens previously propelled talents like Palmer, O’Reilly, Morgan Rogers, and Rico Lewis into the elite before becoming one of Pep’s trusted lieutenants on the Manchester City first-team staff.
Now flying solo, he is steering Sporting Clube de Braga toward historic achievements. “I want to instill a mindset that helps the club grow and get much closer to the world elite,” he admits. And bit by bit, he is succeeding.
“I want to instill a mindset that helps the club grow and get much closer to the world elite.”
— Carlos Vicens
Braga sit fourth in the league, reached the League Cup final, and, after beating Freiburg 2-1 in the first leg of the semifinals, are just one game away from the second Europa League final in their history (the first came in 2011, a loss to Villas-Boas’ Porto on a Falcao goal).
Dorgeles’ 92nd-minute goal sparked wild celebrations at the “executioner” of Betis in the quarterfinals. Braga started Víctor Gómez—who assisted Demir Ege Tıknaz’s goal—and Pau Víctor, while Fran Navarro replaced Rodrigo Zalazar (who missed a penalty) in the 72nd minute.
Despite starting their campaign on July 24 and playing more matches (57) than any other team in Portugal this season, the “Guerreiros do Minho” remain relentless. “Even when the game was tied, the team imposed itself, missed a penalty, and still ended up winning. In the second half we kept pushing. The team never stopped wanting it—that’s been one of the secrets of this season,” Vicens proudly said.
“The team never stopped wanting it—that’s been one of the secrets of this season.”
— Carlos Vicens
“In the end, we got the reward with a 2-1 win, which gives us a slight advantage in the tie,” the Braga coach added. However, he could be without Ricardo Horta (substituted in the 26th minute) and Víctor Gómez (who finished with a broken hand) for the return leg. Still, he remains true to the high standard he has tried to set since arriving.
“I’m happy, but the last step is still to come. We have to be at a high level; mathematically nothing is decided. The ambition is total, but I also want to pick up the three points remaining in the three league games,” Vicens said, before revealing another “secret” of his Braga: “The team has a very strong conviction, a desire to prioritize the process over the individual.”
“The ambition is total, but we have to be at a high level. Mathematically nothing is decided.”
No Spanish teams remain, but the final on May 20 in Istanbul could still feature a “made in Spain” showdown: Aston Villa vs. Braga. Both on the sidelines (Unai Emery vs. Carlos Vicens) and on the pitch (Pau Torres and Andrés García vs. Víctor Gómez, Pau Víctor, Fran Navarro, and Gabri Martínez). Hopefully, that will be the case.
Portuguese League
UEFA Europa League
Sporting de Braga
Europa League
João Moutinho dethrones Modric and Xavi, threatening Cristiano Ronaldo’s “UEFA Empire”
Europa League
Europe turns its gaze to the heart of England again: “Both q