João Brandão: Promoting youngsters is the biggest win | OneFootball

FC Porto B will host Vizela at Olival this Sunday at 11 a.m., in a match corresponding to the 19th round of the championship. The opponent is considered by coach João Brandão to be “one of the best teams” in the 2nd League at the moment.

“It’s a team clearly characterized by the physicality of its players, their direct play on the wings, and the way they are competent in set pieces. We want to be strong against the best and we want to be strong with the strongest. We have our strengths and we want to bring them to the game on Sunday,” revealed the FC Porto B coach, adding that throughout the “week of training,” he observed a “very strong” collective and a group ready for the test the Minho side will present: “I felt the players were very focused on the game strategy and very determined in their daily work. That’s the first step to being ready and prepared for the challenge ahead.”

How have you seen the players from your squad called up to the senior team?

“For those who work with young players, that is the greatest victory. For those who follow their development and the achievement of the goals set, it is the greatest of all victories. Collectively, we want points and to win games, but individually we have that responsibility, to promote players to the A team. It’s satisfying to see their evolution and performance within a team that is more mature and responsible from game to game. We want to continue that evolution so we can bring the three points to our side.”

Is this competitiveness in the 2nd League positive for the group’s development?

“It’s a challenge to prepare these players in the best way at such a high level of demand, because that’s what awaits them in the A team. We know that at times this creates some discomfort, as they leave their comfort zone, but it’s an important step they are taking every day, in every training session and every game. Talent is not enough, it takes a lot of work and a lot of overcoming.”

World champion praises professional debut

Mateus Mide, winner of the U-17 World Cup with Portugal, made his debut for the B team in the last match against Feirense, which ended in a defeat for Porto (2-1). The young midfielder spoke of the moment as a milestone: “For me it was a very important step in my career. Without my effort and that of the whole team, it wouldn’t have been possible,” said the playmaker, already wishing to move on from the visit to the ‘fogaceiros’: “The last game wasn’t very positive on our part, but we’re here to work and correct the mistakes we made.”

Are you thinking about moving up to the first team?

“We are evolving and it’s part of the process to move from the youth teams to the professional teams. It only brings us more responsibility.”

Vizela

“It’s a tough game like all the others, but I feel the team is prepared. It’s a very important game for us so we can climb the league table. We’ve studied all their strengths and weaknesses. We’ll be facing a very tough team, but we’re ready.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.