João Brandão: Promoting youngsters is the biggest win | OneFootball

FC Porto B hosts Vizela at Olival this Sunday at 11 a.m., in a match for the 19th round of the championship. The opponent is considered by coach João Brandão as "one of the best teams" in the 2nd League at the moment.

"It's a team clearly characterized by the physical dimension of its players, the objectivity in the outside game, and the way it is 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 work," he noticed a "very strong" collective ready for the test that the Minho team will represent: "I felt the players very focused on the strategy for the game and very determined in daily work. This is the first step to being ready and prepared for the challenge ahead."

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

"For those who work with young players, this is the greatest victory. For those who follow their evolution and the achievement of the set goals, 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 is satisfying to see their evolution and performance within a team that is more mature and responsible from game to game. We want to continue this evolution to bring the three points to our side."

Is this competitiveness in the 2nd League positive for the group's evolution?

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

World champion praises professional debut

Mateus Mide, winner of the U-17 World Championship with Portugal, made his debut for the B team in the last match against Feirense, which ended with a Porto defeat (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 creative player, already wishing to leave behind the visit to the Feirense: "The last game was not very positive on our part, but we are here to work and correct the mistakes we made."

Do you think about moving up to the main team?

"We are evolving and it is part of moving from youth teams to professional teams. It only brings us more responsibility."

Vizela

"It's a difficult game like all the others, but I feel the team is prepared. It is a very important game for us to climb up the standings. We studied all their strengths and weaknesses. We will face a very difficult team, but we are prepared."

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