"We won't underestimate Braga"

TSG’s Europa League adventure gets under way on Thursday evening, with Portuguese side Braga coming to the Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann and achtzehn99.de look ahead to our group stage opener.

Julian Nagelsmann on...

... the opponent.

Braga are definitely a tricky opponent. They have two or three specific characteristics to their game, they won the cup in Portugal in 2016 and were in the Europa League final a few years back. They are a team with lots of international experience, so we definitely won’t underestimate them. Their problem is that every year they always end up selling their best players to the big clubs in Portugal or elsewhere. Which is why they always need a bit of time to find themselves at the start of the season. That’s a reason why they haven’t started this season so well.

... the squad.

The squad situation has improved since the Bayern game. Adam Szalai is still out, but we knew that already. Otherwise, Kevin Vogt trained again with the team on Wednesday. It’s not yet clear if he will be able to play on Thursday. I’ll sleep on it overnight. Serge Gnabry is also making progress, he’s training with the ball. Tomorrow’s game comes way too soon for him, however. Stefan Posch will train tomorrow and could be option for Sunday against Hertha BSC. Sandro Wagner, who pulled out shortly before Bayern a glute problem, is definitely fit for the match against Braga.

... the sporting situation I.

We’ve matured as a team. I think you can see that in the way we convert our chances – we don’t need so many opportunities to score. That has been the difference so far compared to last season. Secondly, a lot has changed in the players’ minds. We had problems last season, in Hamburg or Leipzig for example, when we didn’t play good football. We didn’t do the things we wanted to. Playing out of the back, controlling the game. The players are doing that much better. You could see that against Bayern, for example. We’re ready to play football and to win. That’s a definite step in the right direction.

... the sporting situation II.

It’s difficult to make an accurate assessment of all the opponents in our group. Which makes it difficult to name a favourite. We know too little about the structure in the different countries and leagues to make a proper assessment. One thing is clear – if we play to our potential, we can play a big role in this group. Our aim is to qualify for the knockouts. And of course we want to get off to a good start with three points.

... on FC Bayern München.

I’m sorry that my comments have caused such a stir. I have huge respect for my colleague Carlo Ancelotti. If you watch the whole interview that I gave Eurosport, you will understand that my comments on FC Bayern have absolutely no importance in the present. It was mainly about future plans and ambitions. I have frequently emphasised that it is obviously a dream of mine to manage a top club in the world one day and of course also win titles. I have answered personal questions about my life openly and honestly. The house I’m building in Munich has nothing to do with Bayern München, but rather with my responsibility as a father to have a serious life plan in place for my family. That has nothing to do with any football club, only with my private life. I always try to be open, honest and authentic when I speak and would also like to not have to pretend. Many who have accused me of making an unsolicited application are the ones who usually complain that football is full of the same identical comments and empty phrases. I’m the head coach of TSG Hoffenheim and I’m very happy here.

Previous encounters

This will be TSG’s first appearance in a European competition, with the only previous experience coming in the Champions League Playoffs against Liverpool. The match against Braga is the first encounter between the two clubs.

Opponents' form

Braga beat AIK Solna and FH Hafnarfjördur on their way to qualifying for the Europa League group stage. Abel Ferreira’s team certainly struggled on their way here, needing extra time to get past Swedish side Solna in the third qualifying round. The Portuguese side are currently ninth in the league, having won two and lost three so far this season, though two of those defeats came at the hands of FC Porto and Benfica.

Key duels

"They aren’t a team that will sit back in Sinsheim," said Lutz Pfannenstiel, before adding: “Braga is a team that always tries to play good, attacking football." TSG should embrace that. There will be space that Julian Nagelsmann’s side can exploit. It’s up to TSG to give their absolute best and build on their performance against Bayern München in order to keep the Portuguese defence busy.

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