Carlos Vicens, the head coach of Sporting de Braga, has lavished praise on his counterpart Manuel Pellegrini ahead of their UEFA Europa League quarterfinal second leg against Real Betis. Speaking to the media at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, Vicens emphasized the respect he holds for the Chilean manager, describing him as a pillar of the club and European football.
The teams enter the match with a 1-1 draw from the first leg, and Vicens acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion. “When you coach Braga, you know the size of the club you represent, and you go out to win every match,” he said, underlining his side’s ambition to reach the final once again after their 2011 runners-up finish.
Vicens also addressed the injury status of top scorer Rodrigo Zalazar, who missed the first leg. The Uruguayan has traveled with the squad but is not fully fit. “He’s not at 100%—only had one and a half sessions with the team. We brought him because we’ll decide before the game if he’s on the bench. He’s recovering from a hamstring injury,” Vicens explained.
When questioned about Pellegrini’s longevity at Betis—six seasons—Vicens was full of admiration. “Pellegrini is an institution within the club and in football. Betis is still fifth in La Liga despite a rough month. The fact that he’s been here so long and achieved so much in Europe says everything. He’s an institution at Betis and among European coaches,” he stated.
Regarding the potential return of Betis captain Isco Alarcón, who has been sidelined for nearly five months, Vicens acknowledged his quality. “He’s been out of competition for a long time. He traveled to the first leg but watched from the stands. He’ll be close to playing minutes again. When he’s fit, he’s a different player—he’s proved that year after year. I don’t know his exact condition, but if he’s available, he’ll bring that quality to Betis.”