Under Fire and Under Pressure: Carlos Vicens Vows to Fight On as Braga Prepare for Crucial Celtic Test
As SC Braga prepare to face Celtic in one of the most pivotal fixtures of their European campaign, all eyes are not on the players — but on the man standing on the touchline.
Carlos Vicens, Braga’s embattled head coach, has found himself in the crosshairs of both the media and his own supporters following a dreadful run of domestic form. While the team showed early promise in Europe with a spirited win over Feyenoord, their league performances have been nothing short of dismal. A 2-1 home defeat to Nacional last weekend marked Braga’s fifth consecutive league game without a win — a barren run that has sparked fury among the fanbase and cast serious doubts over Vicens’ future at the club.
But the Spanish coach, who was appointed amid much optimism after serving as an assistant under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, remains adamant that he is the right man for the job.
“I still have the strength and energy for the job,” he said defiantly in the post-match press conference, “and I know I can change the mentality here.”
Whether Vicens truly has the time, tools, or trust required to lead Braga out of this downward spiral remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the upcoming Europa League clash at Celtic Park could be season-defining — for both Braga and their beleaguered boss.
🟥 Domestic Despair: From Top Four Hopefuls to Crisis Club
At the start of the season, SC Braga were tipped by many as dark horses to challenge the traditional big three — Benfica, Porto, and Sporting — for a top-three finish. The club had recruited smartly over the summer, bringing in several promising young talents and banking on Vicens to bring his modern tactical approach and “City DNA” to the north of Portugal.
But what began with promise has quickly deteriorated into a campaign defined by missed opportunities, sloppy defending, and a glaring lack of identity on the pitch.
📉 Recent Liga Portugal Results:
Braga 1-1 Marítimo
Boavista 3-2 Braga
Braga 0-0 Estoril
Sporting CP 2-0 Braga
Braga 1-2 Nacional
In those five matches, Braga have scored just three goals and conceded eight. The team’s attacking movement has grown stale, and their defensive structure, once a point of pride, appears to be unraveling.
Fans, once excited by Vicens’ appointment, are now openly questioning whether the job is too big for him. The white handkerchiefs waved after the Nacional defeat — a symbolic Iberian sign of surrender or dismissal — were impossible to miss.
“We didn’t show the passion and commitment we displayed against Feyenoord,” Vicens admitted. “It was not good enough. We must improve immediately, myself included.”
The acknowledgement is admirable. But in football, especially in a results-driven league like Portugal’s, words only go so far.
🟩 European Promise: A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the domestic doom and gloom, Braga’s European form has offered a glimmer of hope.
Their 2-1 win over Feyenoord in their Europa League opener was widely praised. Braga were aggressive, controlled, and fearless. Their pressing was coordinated, their midfield compact, and their wide players stretched the Dutch side from start to finish. It was, arguably, one of the best performances of Vicens’ tenure — a game plan executed to perfection.
“That night, we looked like a team that could go far in Europe,” said one fan on social media. “Where is that Braga in the league?”
It’s a question Vicens has yet to answer convincingly. But he seems aware of the double standard his team has created — raising their level for Europe while crumbling against mid-table domestic opposition.
“We can’t just be raising our games for big matches,” Vicens warned. “It has to be the same level in every match.”
Whether that consistency can be found — and how quickly — may well determine how much longer he remains in the Braga dugout.
🔄 Axe to Fall: Changes Coming for Celtic Clash
In perhaps the most headline-grabbing line from his post-match comments, Vicens promised to “wield the axe” ahead of the trip to Glasgow — signaling that changes to the starting lineup are inevitable.
“If I have to make changes to freshen up the team, I will,” he said. “Nobody is guaranteed a place. I need fighters on the pitch.”
Several senior players are thought to be under scrutiny. Club captain André Horta, a technically gifted midfielder, has come under criticism for a lack of leadership. Striker Abel Ruiz, once seen as the future of Braga’s attack, has struggled to find the net and may be benched in favour of more dynamic, in-form options.
Vicens may turn to youth — including 19-year-old winger Rodrigo Gomes and defensive midfielder Álvaro Djaló — to inject energy and enthusiasm into the side.
There’s also speculation that Braga could abandon their usual 4-2-3-1 setup for a more conservative 4-3-3 or even a back five against Celtic, aiming to frustrate the Scottish champions and hit on the break.
“Celtic are a team that thrive at home. If we go toe-to-toe with them, we could be punished,” said former Braga defender Nuno Coelho. “Vicens needs a tactical masterclass — or it could be his last game.”
🏟️ The Cauldron of Celtic Park
Vicens’ task is made no easier by the venue itself. Celtic Park — often referred to as “Paradise” by the home support — has long been one of the most intimidating arenas in European football.
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are in strong form and have an excellent home record in continental competitions. Their 1-1 draw away to Red Star Belgrade in Matchday 1 was a positive start, and the Scottish champions will now be targeting Braga as their opportunity to grab a vital three points.
Braga have only visited Celtic Park once before, back in a 2010 Champions League qualifier. They lost 2-1 that night but advanced on aggregate. Fifteen years later, the stakes are different — and the pressure on Vicens is far greater.
🧠 The Tactical Puzzle
To stand a chance against Celtic, Braga must address the following:
Midfield Control: Braga have lost midfield battles in most recent domestic games. Against Celtic’s dynamic trio of Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley, and Reo Hatate, they cannot afford to be second-best.
Defensive Solidity: Braga’s central defense has been error-prone. Cleaning up their marking and defensive set-pieces will be key.
Wide Threats: Celtic’s full-backs push high. Exploiting the space behind them through rapid wingers like Rodrigo Gomes could be Braga’s best route to goal.
If Vicens can strike the right tactical balance, Braga may rediscover the intensity that made them Europa League quarter-finalists not long ago.
👥 Fans Divided, But Hope Remains
Despite the visible discontent, there is still a core section of Braga fans who want to give Vicens time.
“Yes, things are bad right now,” said one supporter on a club forum. “But we’re two games into Europe and still in the fight. If we beat Celtic, it changes the whole mood.”
It’s a fair point. Football, after all, is often about moments. One big result can change the narrative entirely. But time is not a luxury Vicens has in abundance. If Braga fail to show signs of life — or worse, suffer a heavy defeat — the board may feel they have no choice but to act.
📆 Looking Ahead: Make or Break
Carlos Vicens has insisted he won’t walk away — and that he still has the belief of the players. But the modern game rarely offers fairytales to under-fire managers. The brutal reality is this: Braga’s trip to Glasgow could mark a turning point in their season — or the end of Vicens’ reign.
📍 Celtic vs. Braga – Match Snapshot
Date: This Thursday (TBC)
Kickoff: 8:00 PM local time
Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow
Competition: UEFA Europa League, Group Stage – Matchday 2
Referee: TBA
Current Group Standings:
Braga – 3 pts (1st)
Celtic – 1 pt (3rd)
Red Star Belgrade – 1 pt (2nd)
Feyenoord – 0 pts (4th)
A win in Glasgow would not only silence critics — it could restore belief. But a loss, particularly a limp one, would pile immense pressure on a manager already walking a tightrope.
📝 Final Word
Carlos Vicens is not giving up. He believes in his players, in his ideas, and in his ability to turn this season around. But belief alone is no longer enough — results are now the only currency that matters.
And at Celtic Park, under the lights, in front of 60,000 passionate fans, he may have just 90 minutes to prove he’s still the man to lead Braga forward.