Experienced drivers constantly use this technique, because with the throttle valve closed, the engine resists the rotation of the crankshaft and, as a result, the wheels.
Moreover, engine braking is often presented as an advantage of a manual over an automatic. Allegedly, driving with a gradual reduction in gears in the box saves fuel and takes some of the load off the braking system.
It’s like that. But you need to drive the car using engine braking carefully. After all, if you thoughtlessly turn on the wrong gear at high speed (let’s say, go from fifth not to fourth, but straight to second), the drive wheels may lock and the car will become uncontrollable. Another unpleasant scenario is that the engine will twist: the rotating wheels will spin the crankshaft to speeds above the limit, and the electronics simply will not have time to react to this. And then the chances of getting an expensive engine repair are greatly increased.
Therefore, start trying to brake with the engine carefully, at low speed and not surrounded by other vehicles. Until the technique is perfected, use the standard scheme: press the middle pedal with your right foot, and when the speed drops, disengage the clutch so that the engine does not stall.