23 February 2007, by Tom Kundert

Magnificent Braga march on

Parma 0-1 Braga (agg. 0-2)

Braga’s UEFA Cup adventure will continue into March at least as an excellent backs-to-the-wall display saw them overcome former winners of the competition Parma.

After weathering heavy pressure from the Italians, a goal in the last minute by Diego (pictured) gave the Arsenalistas victory on the night and a 2-0 aggregate win to set up a mouth-watering tie against Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16.

Jorge Costa: “The players made themselves heroes.”

Jorge Costa took command of the team for his first match as head coach and the former FC Porto legend saw his side come under immediate pressure from the home team.

In the fourth minute Paulo Santos was forced into a superb fingertip save to turn Paponi’s acrobatic header over the bar. Muslimovic was next to threaten as he found himself in a good shooting position but his cross-shot skidded wide of the post.

Joao Pinto goes close

As half time approached Braga began to get a foothold in the match, and veteran Joao Pinto saw a long-range effort take a deflection and loop just wide with goalkeeper Lucia struggling to reach it.

After the break play was increasingly restricted to midfield, which suited Braga fine as they attempted to cling on to their precious lead.

With 20 minutes left on the clock Claudio Ranieri brought on Manchester United’s loan striker Rossi, and the young marksman immediately came close with a powerful shot from distance that whistled past the post.

Braga then suffered a big setback as a careless Frechaut foul from behind led to a second yellow card and subsequent red to leave the Portuguese team having to play the last 15 minutes one man down.

As Parma began to lay siege to the Braga goal Cigarini sent a shot just wide before the visitors had a huge let-off in the 83rd minute.

A free-kick was swung into the box and Bocchetti seemed certain to score but Paulo Santos blocked the effort and with the goalkeeper floored the Braga defence somehow scrambled the ball away in the ensuing scramble.

Couto rocket

Parma’s veteran Portuguese centre-back Fernando Couto then came close with a thunderous volley from 25 metres.

As Jorge Costa prepared to make a substitution to eat up more time, Braga stunned the Italians with an excellent goal to settle the tie. A well worked corner was played to Luis Filipe, whose cross was skilfully volleyed into the net by substitute Diego to spark exuberant celebrations.

PortuGOAL man of the match
Paulo Santos: The Portugal international showed all his experience and class with crucial saves to keep Parma at bay.

Parma:
Lucia, Ferronetti, Fernando Couto, Contini, Bocchetti, Cigarini, Pisanu, Grella (Dessena, 65), Paponi (Gasbarroni, 30), Muslimovic, Kutuzov (Rossi, 72)
Yellow Cards: Fernando Couto (32), Cigarini (52)

Sporting Braga:
Paulo Santos, Pedro Costa, Paulo Jorge, Rodriguez, Carlos Fernandes, Frechaut, Ricardo Chaves, Luis Filipe, Joao Pinto (Andrade, 90), Wender (Castanheira, 78), Ze Carlos (Diego, 72)
Yellow Cards: Frechaut (69 & 75), Diego (86)
Red Card: Frechaut (75)

Goals:
[0-1] Diego (89)