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| Tuesday, 28 August 2012 20:37 |
Braga seal Champions League return!Shoot-out triumph for Peseiro's men It may only be August, but Braga have tonight achieved one of their main objectives for 2012/13 - a return to the Champions League group stages. Udinese took the lead in memorable style through Armero after 25 minutes, but as the game wore on Braga wore their opponents down, and by the time substitute Rúben Micael's equaliser arrived it felt almost inevitable. Extra time and penalties followed, and Os Arsenalistas managed to hold their nerve at the final hurdle, prevailing 5-4 on spot-kicks.
José Peseiro made just a solitary (enforced) change from the 1-1 draw in Portugal last week: Rúben Amorim replaced the unfit Hélder Barbosa. Despite his excellent display against Beira-Mar and in the first leg, Rúben Micael was once again amongst the substitutes.  Just as was the case in the first leg, the two sides wasted little time in settling, and the result was a noticeably open fifteen minutes. The best of the early chances fell to Lima, thanks to a slide-rule through ball from Ismaily, but the Brazilian saw his shot deflected over by Brkic. The Udinese goalkeeper looked uncertain at the resulting Amorim corner, but the home side were also intent on attacking, and responded by winning two set pieces of their own. After seventeen minutes, Brkic was again troubled by a Braga corner (this time it was Hugo Viana with the delivery), completely mistiming his attempted punch, and needing a last-ditch clearance from Armero to spare his blushes. But once again, Udinese responded well. A swift counter attack left Antonio Di Natale in space on the right-hand side of the Braga box, but the veteran skewed his effort wide.  At that point Peseiro would have been satisfied with the game so far, but after 25 minutes Udinese took the lead in spectacular fashion. The livewire Fabbrini found Basta with a chipped pass, and the goalscorer from the first leg found Armero with a gorgeous lofted pass. The wing back, arriving late into the area, met it with an emphatic header that thundered past Beto and into the back of the net. Having fallen behind, Braga recovered their composure relatively quickly. A number of sloppy passes from Udinese and some well-coordinated pressing allowed the Arsenalistas back into the game. Having seized the initiative, the home side seemed largely content to limit their threat to set-pieces (Beto did well to turn a dangerous Di Natale free kick behind) and counter attacks (the Portuguese goalkeeper produced a point-blank range save to deny Armero a second moments before the interval).  Although the scoreline suited Udinese’s tactics, Braga came out for the second half with renewed vigour. A swashbuckling run from Leandro Salino ended with the right back side-footing a shot over on his left foot, and his use of Lima’s movement signalled the way forward for Peseiro’s men. Of course, the other option was to cross fingers for a moment of Hugo Viana quality. The creative midfielder stung the palms of Brkic with a well-struck free kick on 51 minutes, and along with Custódio and Mossoró looked to exert more influence on the flow of the game. It was the latter who orchestrated another promising opening as the hour mark, after a remarkably timely (from a Braga perspective) mis-kick from Armero. The Braga number eight did well in pulling a number of markers out of position before teeing up Alan, who struck a powerful shot that Brkic did well to beat away. Braga were in the ascendency, with the home crowd becoming increasingly frustrated. But despite their nerves, the clock ticked inexorably on towards full time. Udinese were creating little, but equally they were absorbing most of Braga’s pressure, and restricting the likes of Ismaily and substitute Rúben Micael to long-range efforts.  That was, until the 70th minute. Brkic pulled off an acrobatic stop to repel a Viana free kick, but his defenders failed to clear the resulting corner, and after the heroic goalkeeper had denied Mossoró once again; the Brazilian was allowed to send a delicate cross back into the danger area, where Micael was perfectly placed to nod home a deserved equaliser. The closing fifteen minutes were defined, as is often the case when the stakes are so high, by a tension that affected both sides. Udinese were hanging on for extra time, whilst Braga were pressing for a winner but also clearly aware of the threat their opponents retained on the counter. Indeed, the closest they came was with five minutes remaining, but Lima’s free kick was comfortable for Brkic. Even Udinese managed a late rally, inspired by substitutes Maicosuel and Pasquale, but in the end, the two sides were locked together after 180 minutes, necessitating a further 30.  Despite the momentary rest, Udinese continued to cling onto the status quo rather than push for a winner. Braga, on the other hand, surged forward, and almost won it on 98 minutes. Mossoró set up Micael perfectly to cross, but Lima's run was uncharacteristically mistimed and the ball slid away from danger. It was an agonising moment that summed up an increasingly fraught night. Yet worse was to follow. Beto, a spectator for much of the encounter, almost presented Di Natale with an unmissable chance when he made a hash of his attempt to gather the ball as half time approached. Thankfully, the Braga goalkeeper managed to follow up and block the rebound, bringing an end to a frantic first fifteen minutes of extra time. Six minutes later, Beto was off his line again, to lash the ball away just as Armero was shaping to slot home. There was still time for Éder to flash a brilliant ball across the face of the Udinese goal, but a fatigued Lima was unable to anticipate its path. With virtually the last kick of the game, Viana sent a free kick in, but the ever-reliable Brkic punched clear with ease. And so, to penalties. Braga are known as warriors, and they passed football's toughest mental test (with a little help from Maicosuel's failed panenka), and will receive their reward in the form of European football's elite arena. Goals [1-0] Armero 25’ [1-1] Rúben Micael 72’ Braga: Beto; Leandro Salino, Paulo Vinícius, Douglão, Ismaily; Custódio, Hugo Viana; Rúben Amorim (Rúben Micael 59’), Mossoró (Éder 116'), Alan (Paulo César 93'); Lima. Ben Shave |
As far as the rumours about transfers, i have learned not to believe anything until it's a confirmed story and the player has signed. Every summer the media makes out that Cardozo will leave, and he still hasn't. Javi Garcia and Garay look like they want to stay personally, but Man City still may tempt the board with offers of huge sums. Of these two I think Garay would be the bigger loss, I've never been completely convinced by Javi. But both still might stay. If they do leave then we move on like always. We all hope it's Gaitan that leaves, but his injury has probably prevented this.
Lastly Benfica have an excellent looking B team with plenty of talented young Portuguese players such as Andre Gomes, Luis Martins, Miguel Rosa, Cancelo, Ruben Pinto and Cavaleiro. All talented and all likely to be drafted into the first team at some stage...and all looking like future selecao internationals too. So again amigo, things are not nearly as grim as you make out. We are the biggest club in Portugal and are moving in the right direction season by season. Show some faith!!!
not sure why he even attended the B Team game the other day it is not like he is going to play them.
Maybe he was reporting to LFV about who to loan out...
Also I read a couple of reports that horrified me..
One from Record said that Cardozo might be sold for 15 mil.. and another by Abola.. saying that Benfica would accept 8 mil for Nolito...?
The top two scorers on your team last year for less than they are asking for Gaitan, and Javi individually not to mention Witsel..
You Fn kidding me..Nolito scored 4 times what Gaitan did while sitting on the bench most of the time.. Javi this year is playing better.. but last year was part of JJ's defensive albatross that cost us another title.
Also I love Witsel but he didn't score no 15 goals..
If they sell those two for so little it will show that management at Benfica is incompetent, retarded even.
Just when I was complimenting them on how our key stars aren't being overly pursued and it was ushering in a time of great stability.. even with the moron JJ at the reigns.
They (management) have continually tried to run Cardozo out of town this is the same guy that consistently tops the scoring charts every year in the Liga.. yet along the way the was benched for players like Sauzo (So-Zero), Saviola, etc..
Who will replace those goals?
Sure Hot Rod.. I am sure will replace some.. although he has collected a few injuries in his young career.. then who replaces the secondary scoring...?
Salvio? because he is a streaky one trick pony.. that defenses adapted too in his last tenure at Benfica.. and too is injury prone.
I can still appreciate those as answers. but then who replaces Nolito's 15 goals.. because you are subtracting him off the squad also.
Cesar unless played straight up the middle won't pass 11 and he was already there with that last season.
Do you think Malgarejo will do it.. because although I like his wing play as a forward... I don't think he is capable of scoring 15.. maybe 10 at fulltime play..
Is it Eliseu? because I don't see it even with his super speed.. and with JJ's record of picking star players to fill positions.. I have to wonder about Eliseu's defensive game.. as JJ has a penchant for one way wonders.. and everything I've seen of Eliseu has nothing to do with defence.
Look back at a selection of JJ's wonderboy's Peixoto, Roberto the Spanish Frango, Emerson, Gaitan, Perez.. all have huge deficiencies..
BUT THE TWO GUYS THAT SCORED MOST OF YOUR GOALS LAST YEAR.. nope they are just a bunch of subs.. and be sold so you can finance sales for more one way wonders..
Maybe this season won't be so JJ proof.. oh well at least we can enjoy Braga..& Porto in Europe.. as this type of mismanagement will lead to an early exit.
On a side note: as a Porto supporter I'm a bit baffled and dissapointed that players like Beto and Micael never got a real shot at shining for the Dragons. These players have shown without a doubt that they have the quality, heart, and integrity necessary to be key pieces of the Porto team. I'm happy to see that a Portuguese team like Braga is placing their trust in these Portuguese players.
Good luck to all Portuguese teams and players as they progress through their domestic and European seasons. It's looking like it will be a great season for all.
Ude sat on the one goal lead a shocker...lol and paid the price as Braga tore them to shreds in the second half.. if Lima, Viana and some of the others shooting had been more on target they could've blown out the Italians away.
Like the other fans on the site.. I always cheer for every Portuguese Team and today Braga did Portugal a great service knocking out a squad we are closely chasing in the Co-efficient Race.
With some good strong play hopefully all the Italian teams will be out in the first round.. and we can pass them with some deep runs into the CL.. all top 3 of the Portuguese league Porto, Braga, & Benfica look capable of taking some scalps again..
Congratulations..
Braga have really been in the ascendancy the past few years, and their hard work and good management have truely paid off.
I'll always cheer for a Portuguese team in European play, Forca Braga! Hopefully they can keep it up!
Forca,
Jorge
Forca FC Porto, SL Benfica, Academica, SC Braga, CS Martimo, and Sporting!!!!!!
They were the better team in both legs and I thought it was harsh to have to win it on penalties.
Everyone celebrated Pirlo and his penalty guts in the Euro's, but today we saw what happens when it fails. Very embarrassing.
The only explanation for Micael to not start has to be fitness. Braga was substantially better with him on the field, in both matches. Better movement, better passes, which led to better looks.
Viana just looks wasteful at times. It's just that he seems as if he could and should do better, hence the frustration.
I also woud like to praise Beto. What seems like a long time ago, someone told me Porto's best keeper was on their bench. Maybe they were right. Very impressive and alert play by Beto.
Lastly, it's tremendous for Portugal to have three teams in the Group Stages of the Champions League. May he all advance.
On the other side, Italy for the first time in a long time, will only have two teams representing their league in the CL.
I've always liked Micael's style of play, great technique. So many have put him down on this site, especially when he was included in the Euros squad...i think he should be a certainty for the Selecao squad. He has some of that old-school Portuguese midfield trickery, that in general we have less of nowadays in our game. Him and Viana are looking a strong pairing in the Braga midfield.
This tie was confirmation how much the Portuguese Liga has caught up with Serie A in recent years...3rd against 3rd, and if anything Braga was the better team overall. Benfica and Porto can definitely match up to the top 2 in Serie A! It's good to see our Liga has improved. Congrats to Braga, they can look forward to the big-time league again this season. They look solid and hard to beat, but with a bit more attacking purpose now with Peseiro at the helm. They could surprise a few people again...well done!!!
Also I'm typically not the one to defend Sporting, yes they currently have no place in the top 3 of Portugal but they have done alot in the history of our liga and they have a high likely hood of once again getting back up there. It's early in the season and they will be pushing hard for that 3rd CL spot this year.
Also, glad to see a core of actual portuguese players on the field and not on the bench.
Also, I agree with Pedro about Hugo Viana. The guy has the talent to be a fantastic deep-lying playmaker, but he can be the most frustrating player on the pitch. He seems to always force a killer long ball/pass when a simple short pass would do. Viana also seems to shoot on sight when he gets the ball within 30 yards of the goal. I expect better decision making from a player of his experience.
Custodio on the other hand may be less talented than Viana, but he seems to always make the right decisions. He was defensively sound, intelligent in possession, and dominant in the air. Along with Salino, Custodio's one of Braga's best, yet under appreciated players.
This Braga side's definitely got the quality to challenge for a spot in the round of 16. Paciencia's Braga was as solid as a rock, but Peseiro has really given them more of a cutting edge in the final third. Before, Braga would sit back and counter. Today, they seem much more comfortable on the ball, and they've got players who can create and score goals.
Best of luck in Europe!
I really didn't want to sound negative just after this amazing achievement, but Hugo Viana was a disappointment. He's too slow and makes way too many sloppy passes, which does not fit at all the possession kind of game that Peseiro is trying to establish at Braga. He's more than enough for a good league run, but not good enough to give them the championship.