 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 10 August 2012 12:42 |
Braga given Udinese Champions League testSporting and Marítimo handed favourable Europa League draws  Braga have been given a tough task to reach the Champions League group stage for the second time in their history. The Arsenalistas were paired against Italian side Udinese in today’s draw. In the Europa League, Sporting will play Danish outfit Horsens, while Marítimo will take on either Dila Gori (Georgia) or Anorthosis (Cyprus) for a place in the group stage of the competition.
The draws for both the Champions League and Europa League playoffs have just been completed in Nyon. This is the last round before the group phase of the respective competitions.
Udinese finished third in the Italian League last season, and boast several high-profile players, none more so than Italy striker and club captain Di Natale. The first leg will be played at the AXA stadium on 21 or 22 August, with the deciding match in Italy one week later.
The draw ensures an extremely demanding start to the new season for José Peseiro’s charges. Braga will kick off their domestic campaign a few days before the first leg match, away at Benfica.
Braga have played five times against Italian opposition in the past, winning three matches and losing two.
Kind Europa League drawThe draw has apparently been kinder to Sporting and Marítimo in the Europa League. The Lions will play against little known Danish team Horsens, who finished 4th in their domestic championship last season.
The first match will take place in Denmark on 23 August, with the second leg at the Alvalade one week later. However, the Danes may have one slight advantage in that their players’ fitness levels should be higher than Sporting’s, given that the season in Denmark got underway several weeks ago. Horsens have already played four league matches, and currently lie in fifth place in the table.
Marítimo must still wait to find out their playoff opponent. Georgian team Dila Gori were beating Anorthosis of Cyprus in last night’s third qualifying round tie when the match had to be abandoned because of a pitch invasion by supporters. Uefa are yet to make a decision on who shall be declared winners. Marítimo will play the first leg at home.
Six clubs in group stages?Hopes will be high among Portuguese football fans of having six of the country’s teams competing in the group stages of the two Uefa competitions for the first time.
FC Porto and Benfica already have their place assured in the Champions League, as do Académica in the Europa League. Should Braga fail to make it past Udinese they will drop into the Europa League, while both Sporting and Marítimo will be reasonably confident of successfully negotiating their playoffs.
Champions League draw:
Braga v Udinese
Europa League draw:
Horsens v Sporting
Marítimo v Dila Gori (or) Anorthosis
Tom Kundert
|
maritimo got one of the few draws that gives them a chance to make the group stages
Braga got the toughest draw but any of the possibilities for them would've been tough. they have a decent shot at upsetting udinese, and even if they lose they're still in europa so it's not the end of the world for them.
Hope to see a stack Portugal clubs late in UCL and Europa.
Best of luck to all clubs this season,
SLB sempre.
This will be a key matchup for the country/leagues coefficient.
Both squads should advance in Europa. Let's just say its a must, since I doubt Academica will be doing anything after the group stages.
I can't imagine UEFA allowing the Cyprus squad advancing after the rioting that occurred by their fans. If they do, it would be the wrong message to send.