Braga coach Carlos Vicens feels his team’s journey in Europe really begins with this week’s Europa League meeting against Celtic…
Braga players celebrated the winning goal iduring the UEFA Europe League League phase, Matchday 1, between Sporting Club de Braga and Feyenoord at Stadium Municipal of Braga on 24 September 2025 in Braga Portugal Photo by Luis de la Mata IMAGO/sportPix
Celtic host the Portuguese side at Celtic Park on Thursday, following a hard-earned draw in Serbia against Red Star Belgrade in their first group-stage match last week.
Braga ended last season fourth in the Primeira Liga, yet their current campaign has begun on a frustrating note which included a 1-0 defeat at home to Nacional last night.
They currently sit in seventh place after seven games with nine points. The visitors arrive in Glasgow on Thursday having won two, drawn three and lost two of their opening league matches.
However, they beat Feyenoord 1-0 on home soil last week, marking their first victory in nearly a month across all competitions. Now, Braga boss Vicens believes the win over the Dutch league leaders can serve as a springboard for further progress in the Europa League.
Speaking via The National ahead of their clash with Celtic, he said: “We’ve had a week where the team has shown a more competitive, more united and more hard-working side of them.
“The win over Feyenoord set the standard for what we can do and I want to see more of the same now. I believe the team spirit is definitely there and the squad are all ready for an important set of games coming up.
“Even when we have not got the results we have deserved so far this season, the players have not let their heads drop and it’s important to emphasise that.”
Braga will travel to Glasgow without two key players as Ivorian midfielder Mario Dorgeles and defender Paulo Oliveira remain sidelined through injury.
Carlos Vicens head coach of Sporting Braga during the UEFA Europe League League phase,Matchday 1, between Sporting Club de Braga and Feyenoord at Stadium Municipal of Braga on 24 September 2025 in Braga Portugal Photo by Luis de la Mata IMAGO/ SportPix/Sipa/
Brendan Rodgers emphasised last week that the home games for Celtic will be important in order to progress to the latter stages of the competition. Three points on Thursday night against tough opposition is all that matters.
Conor Spence
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