Azevedo: Braga Not In It To Win It

Braga manager Armando Azevedo has sent a message to title challengers Benfica and Porto that Braga are not trying to win the title, despite only being 4 points behind leaders Porto but said if Braga were to win it, it would be an unbelievable success.

Azevedo told The Portuguese Football Post: "To win the title would be an unbelievable success but I see this season as a transition period for the club. I know how well we've performed so far this season but it only takes 1 or 2 losses to mess it all up, the same goes for every club in the world. It would be great to win something on my debut season not only as Braga manager but as a manager itself, but being honest, I don't think it's likely.

The players know how well they've done so far. I've told them what I and the club thinks of them, they are the definition of the term 'underdog'.

Braga have spent too much time lounging round, in 5th, 4th, 3rd place every year. I want to change that as soon as possible but I think Benfica and Porto have much stronger squads and financial backing that they will achieve 1st and 2nd. Next season we will be stronger than ever. I'm promising every Braga fan across the world that"

As the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Do you trust Azevedo with Braga's future? Judging by his achievements this season it would be a definite yes from me!

February Update

Absolutely flawless. The best month I've had since signing a contract with Braga. Superb is the word! Undefeated whilst playing quality football against decent teams like league leaders Porto and Champions League-chasing Bordeaux is a great way to round off this month of February.

Onto the results:

Braga 3 - 1 Marítimo

Éder (30, 59)
Kukula (73)
Sadio Mané (90)

Braga 4 - 1 Marítimo

Éder (36, 78)
Igor Rossi (58)
Sadio Mané (68, 76)

Braga 3 - 1 Arouca

Claro (16)
Mahamadou Diarra (39)
Rodrigo Battaglia (85)
Afonso Alves (88)

Académica 1 - 3 Braga

Éder (pen 6, 41)
Kadu (9)
Manoel (32)

Braga 1 - 1 Girondins Bordeaux

Éder (28)
Kadu (own goal 48)

FC Porto 1 - 3 Braga

Éder (6)
Djamal (15)
Alan (27)
Abdellah Daouadji (64)

Girondins Bordeaux 1 - 2 Braga

Jimmy Briand (7)
Abdou Traoré (77)
Afonso Alves (84)







A reasonably tough month, two games versus Benfica in the league and cup and two legs in the Europa League against another Ligue 1 side in AS Saint-Etienne. The rest seem very winnable as we try our best in all competitions, domestic and European.

Contract Boost For Braga

Some good news from the Braga training ground this morning as it has been officially announced by manager Armando Azevedo that star performers Rodrigo Battaglia and Nuno André Coelho will be lengthening their stay at the Portuguese title contenders.

Battaglia, 22 has signed a new 4 year deal worth £2,000,000 on an improved wage of £9,500 per week. Battaglia has already earned 29 caps for Argentina's Under-20's and it's looking as though the defensive midfielder has a bright future ahead of him at Braga.

Coelho, 28 has signed a 3 year club, which if he lasts that long, will be 31 years old at the end of his contract. He signs a his new contract worth £3,000,000 at £14,500 per week for The Arsenalista's. Coelho has worked wonders under new boss Azevedo this season, forming a rock solid defensive partnership with Brazilian Kadu.

Braga Propose New Azevedo Deal

Reports coming out of the Estádio AXA say that Braga chairman António Salvador has invited current manager Armando Azevedo to discuss a new contract with the club.

Salvador has supposedly held talks with the Braga fan and manager Azevedo regarding the boards vision at the present time. We will find out shortly about whether the discussions went well as it was meant to or not.

Following this outbreak of news, a reporter for Braga's local sports newspaper caught up with the gaffer just after his routine daily first-team training took place. The reporter asked: "Are the rumours about a new deal being proposed correct or do they have no accuracy?"

The boss replied: "I don't really want to be speaking about what could or couldn't happen in the future. As much as I would love an extension, my main focus right now is to get mine and your team as successful as possible, I hope you appreciate that"

It certainly sounds like if Azevedo was to be offered a new contract, he would have no hesitations in accepting.