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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 14:49

Hugo Viana: “We depend only on ourselves to be champions”

Midfielder insists Braga still in the running to lift title

Hugo VianaPortugal international Hugo Viana says he and his Braga team-mates are still firmly focussed on winning their first-ever Portuguese Championship.
 
The Arsenalistas sat top of the table for over half of the season, but recently dropped to second place and fell three points behind leaders Benfica following the goalless draw at Vitoria de Setubal on Saturday.
 
But Viana is aware that victory over Benfica, who they play after this weekend’s clash at home to Rio Ave, will put the northerners back at the top of the tree. “We only depend on ourselves to be champions. There are eight games left and anything can happen,” said the former Sporting, Newcastle and Valencia player.
 
“We want to get back to playing our best. This didn’t happen in Setubal. It wasn’t that we played badly, but we could have done more.
 
“We don’t view the next two games as decisive. All matches from now on are important. The most important game for us now is the one on Saturday. We are not going to think about the Benfica game before the game against Rio Ave.”
 
Viana began the season in outstanding form but critics say he has lost his spark in recent weeks, coinciding with the 3-month suspension of holding midfielder Vandinho.
 
However, the 27-year-old refutes the idea that he has suffered from having to play a more defensive role. “I don’t feel prejudiced, especially as there are other alternatives for Vandinho’s place, like Olberdam, Filipe Oliveira and Madrid.”
 
by Tom Kundert
 
Comments (5)
My dear filipe and Karl
5 Thursday, 11 March 2010 12:36
Portosucks/Porto
First of all, Benfica don't have to play Guimaraes and Leiria because they already played them, and won, and the Porto match won't happen until the second last match of the season, which the title should be decided by then. Also, don't think that Benfica are going to let the opportunity of distancing themselves from Braga when the two meet at The Luz slip by them. Sporting may be the only obstacle.

That being said, it is not up to Braga to win the championship because they are trailing, therefore there's a flaw in Hugo Viana's theory.

What team do I support based on my alias/handle? It just infers what team I don't support. Try not to jump to conclusions dear boy and I'm not a bad loser because nothing is lost. I just see Porto and Braga fading because their form dictates it. As much as many don't want Benfica to win and hope they slip every weekend, they continue to win, despite suspensions and injuries.
Comment from Filipe/Texas
4 Thursday, 11 March 2010 03:03
Karl/Ireland
Good point Filipe. I think the race is still wide open. Should Braga get by Rio Ave who have been very stubborn and defensively solid this season, they will go to Lisbon probably looking for a draw. They will have a two week rest whereas Benfica will have two tough games against Marseille in France and Porto in the Taca Lucilio final.. Come match day in a little over two weeks Benfica could well be in the quarter finals and it could cause some tiredness to enter into the legs.. There are several key players for Benfica on a yellow card.. Di Maria and Luisao and Saviola I think(not sure about Saviola). and Braga have Matheus and Oliveira on four yellows too. The game against Nacional will be tough after the previous encounter but even if they win, which they should considering Nacional's post Maciel period, they may come out of it with a few bruises and maybe miss one or two players for the Braga game. When Braga played Rio Ave in the league there were only two yellow cards(one for the goalie for timewasting) and Rio Ave commited a horrendous 37 fouls against Braga's 8 if I remember correctly. Well I'm hoping the home factor plays its part and Braga get the three points.

As for Porto Sucks I think "bad loser" seems to fit the bill throughout his comment. They may have beaten Braga badly but they are still 8 points behind. Good luck to them.. 10 goals conceeded in 3 games is good going..
Only challenge left
3 Wednesday, 10 March 2010 17:22
Mario/Toronto
At this point Braga is the only team left that can challenge Benfica. The key game will be when they meet in Lisbon. My money is on Benfica but since they are playing in multiple tournaments I wouldn't be surprised if Benfica drop a couple a points at one point. At the end of the day I think Benfica has league at this point but it doesn't mean it wont be an exciting run till the end. SLB!
previous comment
2 Wednesday, 10 March 2010 16:58
filipe/ texas
Considering that your alias is PortoSucks, I can only think of one team that you support. I don't see Braga losing the game against Rio Ave. Either way, even if they lose to Benfica and fall 6 points back, the championship won't be over. Benfica still have two tough games left with Sporting and Porto. In addition, they have to play Guimaraes and Leria, both in fine form, and fighting for european spots.

It is far from being over for Braga if they fall 6 back. It is alot harder, that is a given, but given the games that are left, i would say it is an open race. I even give Braga the edge, only because they have played a larger percentage of their tougher games already. Most of their difficult ties after the Benfica match are at home. So, despite the fact that they are behind on points, i still think it is wide open.
Hugo, my fine friend
1 Wednesday, 10 March 2010 15:31
PortoSucks/Porto
Braga were also torn a new one against Porto when you and your bunch decided to not play football and allow Porto to run all over you.

If Braga are six points back of Benfica by the time you two meet, you will be. In any event, hold one to second place, if you can.

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