Braga's head coach Armando Azevedo has today announced that he will be trying to make the most out if his 'limited' budget at Braga.
He told a local sports newspaper: "At Braga right now it is difficult to compete with the big teams but we seem to be coping with the players we have right now.
I don't want to hide anything from the fans as I am one but I'm currently working to sign good players on a very tight budget. Benfica, Porto and Sporting Lisbon May of had millions in place beforehand but we at Braga have had to make our own money by successful runs in the cup, transfer negotiations and playing so well our crowd is brimming. It's been difficult and it may come down to selling so we can buy here. We've let go of two fringe players in Quincy and Vinícius and brought in quality such as Mané and Prass with Torrado coming through the ranks in the next few years. By the end of the Winter transfer window I want to have made at least 1 more signing which may be difficult but it's what I'm hoping for"
Rumours have already started spreading with many sources saying Braga are in for PSG's center back Alex on a pre-contract basis as the Brazilians contract at the current Ligue 1 champions is running out in June and many clubs will be after him so Braga must nip in with the offer quickly.
According to reports close to S.C. Braga and its manager, Armando Azevedo, Paris Saint-Germain center-back Alex is extremely close to signing a deal with Portuguese overachievers Sporting Clube Braga on a pre-contract basis.
A journalist asked the manager, Azevedo about this after this mornings training session but Azevedo ignored him and walked back to the changing room without intention of speaking to anyone about anything.
Alex joined PSG in the summer of 2011 after a 7 year spell at English giants Chelsea, 3 years of which were spent on loan at Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven.
The 12-time Brazilian international has hardly been a key part to PSG's push for a 2nd consecutive Ligue 1 title, featuring 9 times out of 19 with fellow Brazil teammates Thiago Silva and youngster Marquinhos keeping Alex out of the team.
Current Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc, former coach of the French national side said this about renewing Alex's contract in the French capital: "He's a good player with plenty of experience but we at PSG need to think before panicking into making decisions. We need to look at the possibilities beyond Alex. We may renew his contract but many clubs are already interested so we'll see"
Here at Sporting Clube de Braga we have signed a new striker for our team.
Chilean striker Héctor Mancilla joins S.C. Braga on a free transfer since leaving LIGA MX side Morelia.
Mancilla signs for Braga until June 2016 when he will be free to go if his contract is not renewed by the manager at that time.
Our Head Coach Armando Azevedo said this to the press upon Mancilla's arrival at Braga "Today it is my honour to welcome you to Braga's latest addition to the side, Héctor Mancilla. Mancilla will give us strength and depth in the striker role with the current strikers being Éder, Alves and Raul Rusescu who will return to Sevilla at the end of the season. I may start Mancilla in our next game against Vitoria Guimaraes, a very important game to everyone involved at Braga because of our fierce rivalry with them. It would be a good game for Mancilla to start in, so we'll see if he's fit enough to be straight in. If not he will start from the bench"
After only 5 appearances and 3 goals, Sevilla loanee Raul Rusescu has been sent back to Spain after 7 months in the North of Portugal.
"I'm quite upset with Braga as when they showed me the offer they gave me, they were promising me first-team football, something which I was lacking at Sevilla. In pre-season I was starting to enjoy it, I was receiving what Braga promised me, first team football but then they signed Afonso Alves, who is a great player. I'm not taking that away from him but with his arrival meant my fall down the pecking order. Now, in January they've bought this Héctor Mancilla on a free transfer. I saw this as my goodbye from Azevedo and I handed in my request for my loan to be terminated and it was, thankfully" Said the 2-time Romaninan international.
Many of his friends that he made at Braga have criticised Braga's actions on Rusescu and a few have spoken about it to the manager, Armando Azevedo.
Defensive midfielder Mahamadou Diarra spoke to the local press about the termination of Rusescu's loan deal: "I'm quite upset about the decision Raul (Rusescu) has made about his departure from Braga as he joined the team at around the same time as me. I know he was leaving at the end of the season but I felt he could of offered something in the title run-in this season. I respect his decision but I don't like the way Braga and Azevedo in particular have handled Rusescu and I've spoken to Azevedo about this. I wish Rusescu the best of luck on returning to Sevilla as he's a great player who deserves a chance at a club who will love him as he's a great character as well as a player"
Braga coach Armando Azevedo refused to comment on the current uproar about the decision to let Rusescu leave saying he has enough things on his mind at the moment.
Rusescu leaves Braga with 5 appearances and 3 goals in all competitions.
Hello! And welcome to today's Liga Zon Sagres match between Vitória de Guimarães and Sporting Clube de Braga.
First of all, lets look at the match preview set out by betting company Sky Bet:
Braga and Guimarães are two very fierce rivals, both will be wanting the bragging rights for this match and according to Sky Bet, Braga are favourites to win with Evens odds with others being a draw at 11-5 and Guimarães to win at 11-5 also. Guimarães have lost 3 of their last 5 home games and find themselves 10th place nearing the end of January whereas Braga are being considered overachieving to some national newspapers! The Archbishops find themselves in 4th after 15 games, 10 points behind leaders FC Porto and 2 points away from achieving a Champions League spot which Pacos de Ferreira hold down at this current time. And I'm sorry to say this Guimarães fans but Braga have won 5 out of their last 5 away games and are in 2nd place if they league was judged on away form with 16 points from 7 games whilst Porto lead the way with 21 points from 8 games.
Now, lets take a look at the line-ups for both sides:
Rumour has it that Braga midfielder Custódio is not in the team today because he is discussing a £4M move to an unnamed Bundesliga side! of course it is all speculation but it could be a factor as to why he has been left out today as he has been in such fine form recently.
Héctor Mancilla makes his debut today for Braga after signing for The Archbishops around a week ago. Alan also replaces Jimmy Briand at right wing for Braga as he also takes the captains armband as Briand is moved down to the bench. Central midfielder Leonel Olímpio takes the captains armband for Guimarães.
The teams are ready to kick off the Minho Derby, the supporters are already taking digs at each other in the stands, they hate each other! The screech of referee, Joao Ferreira overpowers the voices of the loyal fans as the game kicks off!
16': Ghanaian left-back Addy throws the ball to Moreno who lends it back to Addy. Addy boots the ball with his laces straight at Battaglia's head which has found striker Éder near the halfway line. Mancilla is making great movement, showing for his strike partner. He receives the ball now, runs about 25 yards, he's stopped and finds Alan making an overlapping run into the box, Alan has a go! Stopped by the keeper!
22': The Brazilian keeper Fernando Prass, who has recently joined from Palmeiras takes the goal kick. Moreno heads it forward for Guimarães. Maazou lays it off to Nii Plange on the halfway line, sprayed out to captain Leonel Olímpio. Moreno to Plange. Addy needs to slide to retain possession but only finds Diarra who gathers it deep in his own half. To the right back Baiano now, Alan here on the right. Mancilla has broken free from his marker as a through ball goes down the right, here's Mancilla for Braga, crosses in for Éder! It's an own goal by Paulo Oliveira! Braga take the lead over city rivals Guimarães. 1-0 Braga!
26': Luca Antonelli, the on loan Braga left-back has a throw-in deep into his own half. Finds £3.3M Mané up the wing, Éder receives a ball to feet. Turns and flies the ball into the air towards Mancilla but it's headed away by Josué, the Guimarães centre back. Kadu now, finds Mané on the left-wing. Cuts inside a bit and plays it back to Argentinian Battaglia. Éder's given the ball in space. Mané bursts free! It's 2 for Braga! Sadio Mané with the shot across goal and in! 2-0 Braga! Azevedo is celebrating right in front of the silenced Guimarães faithful!
36': Prass with another goal kick for Braga. The Guimarães defence lets it bounce once before Josué heads away, but it's too weak and lands at the feet of Malian Diarra. Alan has it and expects a run from Mancilla which never happens and it's into the hands of the Guimarães keeper, Nunes. He's bowled the ball out to Paulo Oliveira, Braga's first goalscorer. To Correia, the right back. Olímpio has it now in space. Back to Oliveira. Moreno finds Olímpio. Olímpio chips it to the right winger Tomane who passes it short to Nii Plange. A high ball headed away by Kadu, Diarra heads it further to the left this time to Mané. Taken down well and played to Mancilla. Mancilla and Éder link up now, this partnership seems to be working wonders already for Braga! Éder with a beautiful ball through into the box to Mané, Mané first-time! No way! Mané has performed the most elegant goal this season, no doubt about it! Éder with the ball through to Mané and he's just chipped it right over the head of the keeper and finds the right hand side netting! 3-0 Braga, this could turn into a demolition job of their dearest rivals!
45': Half time at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques and Guimarães will be glad of it, they've been run ragged by their city rivals Braga who will no doubt be wanting more goals when the second half comes around.
Half-Time
Guimarães 0 - 3 Braga
46': The second half kicked off by Guimarães, the current score is 3-0 to Braga
57': Guimarães have a throw in deep inside Braga territory. Addy throws to Hernani. Addy has it again at his feet. Back to Moreno, who is covering for Addy as he pushes up. Knocked down the line for Addy but he has already started tracking back to his position. Diarra intercepts for Braga. Alan has loads of time here now, switches the ball over to Mané who tries finding Mancilla but Moreno intercepts in a dangerous area. Olímpio now. Barrientos down the right, running at the Italian Antonelli. Gives it to Nii Plange instead of taking Antonelli on. But it's a one-two and it's Barrientos in the box! Goal for Guimarães! Azevedo shakes his head at the disgraceful defensive performance as Rui Vitória celebrates the next few yards away from him. Is this the start of a comeback for Guimarães? 3-1 Braga.
61': Mané has the ball at the Guimarães corner flag for Braga, drills a ball in, but it's ended up straight at Hernani's feet! The counter-attack is on for Guimarães! Hernani sprints over to the left before slowing play down to give it to Addy. Hernani again, plays in a triangle with Moreno and Addy. Now it's Olímpio in lots of space, Plange now. Finds Barrientos' charge into the box! Barrientos with the volley! Wide! An awful shot!
68': How unfortunate that Mancilla has to come off on his debut, Afonso Alves is brought on by Armando Azevedo.
84': Luís Rocha with the throw-in. Coelho heads away. Olímpio makes the interception, Moreno, Plange. Battaglia with a brilliant tackle and it's now Éder for Braga. Finds his new partner Alves, Alan now on the right. Éder in the middle with a bit of time tries to find Alves but off-target but Alves still gets there. Short to Alan inside the box! It's a shot! Saved and cleared! But Antonelli is straight onto it and it's a very weak ball in which doesn't reach the penalty area. Amorim puts it out for a Braga throw. Baiano takes the throw-in, here's Alves, back to Baiano. Crossed in with his instep. Moreno heads away. Diarra retrieves the ball on the edge for Braga. Alves in the box now, Baiano again on the right. Diarra on the corner of the penalty area. Tackled by Moreno but straight to Baiano, gives it to Diarra once again, they need a lot more support down that right hand side. It's just Diarra and Baiano at the moment! Battaglia in the middle. Diarra again, he's been superb today for Braga. Battaglia sprays it to the captain, Alan. Whipped in for Éder who gets away from his marker! Unlucky! Brilliant off-the-ball movement by Éder and a shot just wide by the Portuguese international!
90+2': Braga are seconds away from a win against their fiercest rivals Guimarães. They have a throw-in on the right - Baiano taking as usual. Alves now, holds up the ball before playing it short and forward to Éder. Éder floored by Olímpio, free-kick Braga...
And it's full-time! Braga beat their city rivals Guimarães 3-1 away from home! Braga move into a Champions League spot whilst Guimarães seep closer into a relegation dogfight! That's all from us at Canal+ Sport, thank you and have a great night!
Sporting Clube de Braga chairman António Salvador has come out in the local press this morning to say that his head coach, Armando Azevedo will be backed well next season, depending on where his Braga side finish in the table.
"It was always a risk, hiring Azevedo as he has had no previous experience in professional football management. It was a risk I was willing to take and I think he has gotten the best out of the team he has been given this season and pulled off some resounding results against Portugal's big guns. He's not been given too much to compete with the likes of Porto, Benfica, you know, but he's impressed me and the fans after some brilliant football being played.
I've had a chat with Azevedo and I set him a few targets, in which he will be rewarded if he succeeds in those targets"
After being asked if Azevedo's transfer budget will be increased, Salvador said: "Absolutely. For definite. If this is what he can pull off on a tight budget, God only knows what he can do with a bit more freedom. I didn't want to give him too much at the start of the season but he's proved himself and definitely deserves better"
Braga boss Armando Azevedo has become a local hero in Braga after coming from watching from the stands to getting his limited side playing beautiful football which critics have said 'is the best Braga have played ever' and commended Azevedo's managing ability of motivating his players. He got off to a rough start but gradually picked up form with the 3-0 win against Porto in September and 5-0 win against Benfica in November being his particular highlights as S.C. Braga manager.
A very exciting month on the basis that January was when the transfer window opened and an explosion of excitement spread around the world. In Braga's case, we brought in 5 new players to our ranks and offloaded 12 players, many on loan to free up the wage bill a bit.
But forgetting transfers for one moment, we'll start with how the league table and results panned out in January. It was a very poor month as we failed to win against 7th placed Sporting Lisbon but we did put in a promising display as a positive. The win over our cross town rivals Guimaraes made up for the loss.
Vitória Setúbal 1 - 2 Braga
Sadio Mané (35) Dani (42) Éder ( pen 87)
Braga 0 - 1 Sporting
Vítor (pen 88)
Vitória Guimarães 1 - 3 Braga
Paulo Oliveira (own goal 22)
Sadio Mané (26, 36)
Jean Pierre Barrientos (57)
We will start February by playing Marítimo twice in a row, first in the league, then in the cup. They are ninth in the table so hopefully, that result against Guimaraes can inspire us to a good result and continue our good form in the league and cup. After that we'll play two games in the league versus Arouca and Académica. Then comes the exciting part of the month. We will try continue our dream to get to the Europa League final by playing Ligue 1's Gorindins Bordeaux twice in the last 32 knockout round of the Europa League but between those two legs we play league leaders FC Porto in the league. If we win all our games in the league during February it will get us ever closer to topping the table.
Transfer
Yes, it's the bit you've been waiting for. Transfers. As I said, 5 players have joined us during January with 12 offloaded. First of all lets see who we brought in:
Fernando Prass - £400,000 from Palmeiras (Brazil)
Sadio Mané - £3,300,000 from FC Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
Pedro Torrado - £400,000 from Belenenses (Portugal)
Héctor Mancilla - Free Transfer
Aleksandar Ignjovski - £40,000 from Werder Bremen (Germany)
Paulo Vínicious - £110,000 to Atlético Paranaense (Brazil)
