Domingos vs Villas-Boas

By Dominic Vieira, writing from Lancaster, England

Tonight, at precisely 19:45pm, the ball starts rolling for the Europa League Final in Dublin. A final contested between two Portuguese clubs from the north of the nation, FC Porto vs Braga. But I’m sure you’re all aware of that. The other battle takes place on the sidelines, between the country’s most promising managers: Domingos and Andre Villas-Boas. The first was a former glorious striker for FC Porto where he also started his coaching career with the reserves before taking the helm at Leiria, Academica and now Braga. His opponent is one of the youngest of all time, whom can’t boast about a prolific playing career as he never had one, but following a successful stint at Academica he joined FC Porto at the start of the season where winning seems to be the only word revolving around him. Let the battle begin!

FC Porto are the clear favourites tonight and that’s no surprise as the team lifted their 25th league title this season, their 14th from the last 20 seasons. Incredible. The team has been consistent since day one which started with a 2-0 victory against eternal rivals Benfica in the Super Cup final back in August. They’re a menace to play against, an all round complete side filled with desire, quality and solutions.

Andre Villas-Boas is the architect behind the success, it’s fair to state that he inherited most of the team from former manager Jesualdo Ferreira, but he dealt superbly with the sales of Bruno Alves to Zenit and Raul Meireles to Liverpool who were indisputably key players. In return he signed Argentine international Otamendi and box-to-box midfielder Joao Moutinho from bitter rivals Sporting. Most importantly he changed their style of play as his 4-3-3 formation portrays fluidity, efficiency and essentially, hunger.

Records have been smashed under the 33 year old who became the 3rd youngest manager to clinch the league title which was historically conquered at the Estadio da Luz, home to 2009/10 champions Benfica. This title campaign was efficiently executed without conceding a single defeat, 27 victories (including a 5-0 thrashing to Benfica) and 3 ties. FC Porto is the 3rd team to achieve the undefeated milestone, the other occasions were both accomplished by Benfica during the 70’s.

It’s true that FC Porto were knocked out of the League Cup but it is an inferior title like it’s viewed in England. On Sunday the Europa League finalists play the Portuguese Cup final against Guimaraes, a match which could define a record treble winning season, that’s if they seal a victory tonight. Villas-Boas loves breaking records and victory tonight will make him the youngest manager to have won the Europa League.

It won’t be an easy battle, FC Porto must not underestimate Braga and they won’t. Celtic, Sevilla, Liverpool and Benfica did and look what happened to them, they were thrown out whilst Braga progressed to the final in genuine underdog fashion. Domingos Paciencia who is completing his second season at the club, has certainly proven his quality. However, he’s yet to have lifted a title as a manager but his consistent hard work won’t be forgotten, especially due to the limited resources available. Tonight is a magnificent stage for him to clinch his first trophy and for Braga to continue creating history.

Sporting Clube de Braga, a club with a 96 year history which have never won the league are now participating in their first major European final. The club hold a fairly tight bank account unlike their opponents who are rather flexible when it comes to strengthening the team. But that’s the beauty about Domingos’ Braga team, with one or two exceptions, who are these players?

Their manager has transformed second rate unknown players into professional solid athletes which play a collective compact game. It’s no surprise to see Atletico Madrid obtaining a great interest in the versatile full-back Silvio or Sporting Lisbon who are on the verge of signing commanding centre-back and captain Rodriguez. Credit must be awarded to Domingos and Andre Villas-Boas rightfully did so in the press conference as he stated: “Braga have had mind-blowing results, clearly demonstrating the extreme quality of both the coach and players, reaching this final on total merit.”

The team signed 23 players this season, many for free or peanuts, whilst Portugal’s number 1 keeper departed to Genoa in a €5m deal. The art behind Domingo’s work is not assembling a team which reached the Europa League final but the 11 men playing tonight reflect his determination, drive and desire to succeed. 

In the two previous encounters FC Porto beat Braga 3-2 at home and 2-0 away. Settling all the domestic facts and stats aside, this is a completely different match and does form really matter? No. It’s irrelevant whether Braga has scored three goals in the past 7 matches or that FC Porto lost their last European fixture 3-2 to Villarreal. This match is decided on the pitch, there is nothing to lose or to prove and both managers will fight until the last second to ensure victory.

Regardless of tonight’s outcome in Dublin, both managers have proven their capabilities and quality, but the greatest ending to a Portuguese European adventure is lifting the trophy. Predictions for tonight?