Braga Secure Conference League League Phase Spot, Vicens Praises Team Resilience

Carlos Vicens, the manager of SC Braga, expressed his satisfaction after his team secured a place in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League. A 0-0 draw against Austria Vienna on Thursday evening was enough to confirm qualification, building on a 2-0 first-leg victory at the Estádio Municipal de Braga.

The result marked the successful completion of a three-round qualifying campaign for the Portuguese side, who eliminated Zeleznicar Pancevo, Dinamo Minsk, and Austria Vienna to reach the new league phase format.

Vicens on the Match and the Objective

Speaking to Sport TV after the match, Vicens acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture but praised his team’s composure.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, with Austria Vienna having little to lose after a two-goal deficit,” Vicens said. “The substitutions gave the team energy, and we have to value the way we managed to keep the ball and play a calmer game, finishing by dominating and controlling, while looking for some goal opportunities.”

He was clear about the significance of the result for the season.

“The first objective for this season was to be in the Conference League league phase, and we achieved it, after passing three qualifying rounds,” he added.

Key facts

Milosevic Makes Debut

The match also saw the official debut of Jovan Milosevic, the young Serbian striker recently signed from VfB Stuttgart. The forward expressed his pride at making his first appearance for the club.

“It was a fantastic feeling, and I am very proud,” Milosevic said. “I want to play as much as possible and help the team, always giving 100 percent.”

Looking ahead, Milosevic is already focused on the upcoming fixture. Braga’s next match is a local derby against Vitória de Guimarães on Monday evening, a game that carries significant weight for the club and its supporters.

“Derby? We expect a big game,” Milosevic added.

Context for the Readers

For followers of Portuguese football and SC Braga, this qualification is a concrete step in the club’s season plan. The Conference League, while seen as the third-tier European competition, provides a pathway for Portuguese clubs to accumulate coefficient points, generate revenue, and offer competitive minutes to squad players. For Vicens, who took over a team that finished fourth in the Primeira Liga last season, meeting this early target provides a stable platform for the remainder of the campaign.

The immediate test, however, will be the domestic derby against Vitória de Guimarães. The fixture, scheduled for Monday evening, will be a significant early test of Braga’s form and depth as they balance European and domestic commitments.

Source: A Bola Futebol – https://www.abola.pt/noticias/carlos-vicens-o-primeiro-objetivo-era-estarmos-na-conference-league-e-conseguimos-2026082721562190198