Hearts have faced a challenging start to the season under new head coach Wouter Vrancken, culminating in their elimination from the Champions League after a heavy 6-0 defeat to Sturm Graz in the second qualifying round. The team has been undergoing significant changes, with key players like Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin departing for Rangers following last season's near title victory.

Braga's Assessment of the Situation

Portuguese forward Claudio Braga acknowledged the difficulties the team is experiencing as they adapt to a new style of play. He stated, "It's a lot of change, a lot of new players, a completely different style of play from what it was last year." Despite the challenges, Braga emphasized the need for the players to rise to the occasion, noting, "We are paid to do this, so we should be able to do it." He highlighted that while the team showed potential, individual mistakes were costly, leading to their downfall against Sturm Graz.

Reflections on the Matches

Braga expressed disappointment over how Hearts were "punished" for their errors in both legs of the tie. After a 4-0 loss in the first leg, the team fell 2-0 at home, resulting in their drop to the Europa League qualifiers, where they will face either Benfica or St Gallen. He remarked, "It was a different game when you know you lose 4-0 in the first half," and acknowledged the need to capitalize on scoring opportunities. "We need to take our chances a little bit better," he added, emphasizing that while the team performed well in many aspects, mistakes ultimately led to their exit from the competition.

Braga concluded by reflecting on the significance of competing in the Champions League, stating, "Of course, you dream about playing in the Champions League." He recognized that while the team cannot make excuses for their performance, the difference in the outcome stemmed from their own errors rather than a lack of ability compared to their opponents.