Football Season Guide

Coming from a sort of rollercoaster season, that ended in a positive 3rd place, but left a feeling of overall disappointment, as club counted mainly on a very poor season from opponent's Sporting to finish in top-3. Braga was brilliant in the short period Rúben Amorim was in charge, but was inconsistent in the rest of the season. Bracarenses are hoping that this season new gaffer Carlos Carvalhal will give Braga a firm upgrade into being a top-3 team in the country completely on their own, regardless of how strong opponents may (not) be. As almost every other team, Braga's squad seems currently unsettled, and some key players may not be around in the next few weeks. Star attackers Paulinho and Ricardo Horta have been heavily linked with moves out. Should the two remain, Braga will surely be a strong competitor for the top-3 places, but even if those two leave, there has been some good new signings that can step up, like experienced Nico Gaitan or the exciting Iuri Medeiros. Castro and Musrati are also important addings in midfield. Carvalhal usually employs an attractive, possession 4-3-3 commanding approach, but he presented a back-3 during pre-season. Perhaps we'll see a versatile, morphing Braga in 20-21, making full use of the strong and deep squad they possess. Gaitan's physical condition is currently the team's major concern. If the former Benfica star is anywhere near the form he presented on his years in the country, Braga will be stronger than ever, but if the advanced age means a slower and injury prone unit, the squad will feel short in talent in the creative department, especially since there's no Trincão around.