Bruno Lage hails Botafogo supporters after first victory with runway leaders | OneFootball

Portuguese boss Bruno Lage secured his first win in charge of Botafogo on Sunday afternoon, with the Brasileirão leaders hammering Coritiba 4-1 at home to maintain their 12-point lead at the top.

Lage’s debut in the Brazilian top flight last week saw them stage a late comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Santos. This weekend, things were more comfortable for Alvinegro Carioca in front of a season-record attendance of 43,701 at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Speaking to the media after an impressive showing, Lage opted to salute the Glorioso fans in attendance, who have welcomed the ex-Benfica boss warmly since he replaced countryman Luís Castro last month. Castro oversaw a remarkable start to the campaign in which Botafogo assumed leadership of the standings, before departing to take over Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

“It was a very tasty victory for us,” he began. “I want to dedicate it to the fans, because today we broke the attendance record for the season. It is fundamental, when we play at home, to feel that support from the first minute and the team had a very strong first-hand of that fantastic support during the 90 minutes. That’s why my first words and that of the team is dedicated to the fans.

“Regardless of our training preparation, there has to be a lot of emotional control on our part. I felt that the team started the game very well, then concedes a goal [to make it 1-1] which is a great goal, we have to accept it. It is a stroke of genius, everyone they are well positioned, it’s a great goal. With a full stadium, the emotion and the pressure that is on top of the players, we have to keep a cool head.

“There was a moment when the team lost one or two situations, but then it united and stabilised again, having the ball circulated the way I like, did not allow counterattacks and it is with much credit to the players that we achieved this victory.”

A key player in Botafogo’s hopes this season is former Porto forward Tiquinho Soares, who struck twice on Sunday having also found the net in Lage’s debut in the Campeonato Brasileiro last week. The 32-year-old has been a regular goalscorer when fit and his experience is likely to be vital in helping Lage’s side maintain their form as the halfway point in the season approaches.

“I already know him a lot from the time we were in Portugal,” Lage said. “It’s a pleasure to work with him. Tiquinho is always connected in the game, whether in the offensive or defensive moment. In 70 minutes, he showed that even though he leads the fight he still wants to come back to defend, join the team in a defensive block and still score two goals. I am very proud to work with him. Tiquinho deserves to be the reference he is being here at the club.”

As well as their surprise title bid at home, Botafogo are also in the Copa Sudamericana, where they take part in the last-16 knockout phase this week with the opening leg at home against Paraguayan outfit Guarani. Next up in the league is a meeting with Cruzeiro, coached by fellow Portuguese Pepa, in Belo Horizonte next weekend.