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| Wednesday, 30 November 2011 09:44 |
Europa League previewCrunch time for Braga, Sporting look to secure top spot This week sees match day five of the Europa League take place, with plenty on the line for both Braga, who host Birmingham City on Wednesday, and Sporting, who entertain FC Zurich at the Alvalade on Thursday night. Ben Shave previews both matches.
Braga – Birmingham City, Wednesday 18.00After a poor performance at the Dragao on Sunday evening, Leonardo Jardim and Braga are now faced with a tricky-looking home meeting against Birmingham City, in what will likely be a decisive ninety minutes for Os Arsenalistas’ European season. Three points would secure a place in the knockout rounds for Braga, as it would create an insurmountable head-to-head advantage over the English side, who were defeated 3-1 at St. Andrews back in September. However, a draw or defeat would remove Braga’s fate from their own hands, and with a trip to Club Brugge (who are, along with Braga and Birmingham, currently on seven points) to come in a fortnight, a raised level of performance is a must. Jardim has endured some criticism from both supporters and the press with regards to his selection choices in recent weeks, as Braga have gone three matches without a win. In fairness to the former Beira-Mar coach, those three games in question were at home to Benfica, at Sporting and at Porto; and with the exception of Sunday evening, his men acquitted themselves well, particularly at the Alvalade. However, any armchair tacticians will have to take a back seat for tonight’s encounter, as Jardim has few choices to make. With six players (Nuno Andre Coelho, Baiano, Imorou, Custodio, Ukra, Ze Luis and Carlao) sidelined by injury, and a further two (Vinicius and Edson Rivera) not registered for UEFA competitions, young midfielder Nuno Valente has been recalled from satellite club Vizela and drafted into the eighteen-man squad: Berni, Quim; Douglao, Ewerton, Paulo Vinicius, Elderson, Leandro Salino, Rodrigo Galo; Djamal, Hugo Viana, Fran Merida, Nuno Valente, Mossoro; Alan, Helder Barbosa, Lima, Paulo Cesar, Nuno Gomes.  The return of Elderson from suspension will likely allow Paulo Vinicius to shift back across into his preferred central defensive position, alongside Ewerton. Fran Merida started at the Dragao, but after a wretched display from the Spaniard, Marcio Mossoro will be hopeful of making his fifth European start of the season. Lima is almost certain to start alone up front, having been one of the few bright spots for Braga over the weekend. Birmingham are coming off an entertaining 2-2 draw at Blackpool, with Nikola Zigic’ late equaliser enough to see the Blues climb up to 8th in the Championship, just a point off the play-off places. A run of six straight wins in October has given way to some less eye-catching form, but a creditable 2-2 draw at Brugge earlier in November illustrates the positive way in which City have approached the Europa League. Captain Stephen Carr has been rested with a slight but ongoing knee problem, whilst Liam Ridgewell and Jordon Mutch have also not made the trip, but the likes of Zigic, Jean Beausejour and Nathan Redmond are all present and correct. Speaking to the Birmingham Mail on Tuesday, Chris Hughton insisted that his side would not be setting themselves up negatively: “I don’t think you can go for a draw…if you fall behind then it becomes difficult to pick up your game again.” For his part, Jardim was unequivocal in stating his aim: “Victory. We want the three points…” Sporting – FC Zurich, Thursday 20.05 With progress to the knockout phase already secured, Sporting can guarantee top spot in Group D with victory over FC Zurich at the Alvalade tomorrow night. The fall-out from the Lisbon derby has been gripping Portugal this week, and one senses that Domingos will be somewhat relieved to see his players occupied by a match, rather than the ongoing polemica. Much like Leonardo Jardim at Braga, Domingos has been forced to cope with an extended injury list over the last month. Rinaudo, Izmailov and Jeffren remain long-term absentees, whilst the recovering Alberto Rodriguez is not expected to win his race against injury, having missed training on Wednesday morning. Matias Fernandez limped out of the Lisbon derby after 27 minutes, and with a Taca de Portugal fifth round tie at home to Belenenses coming up on Monday, the Chilean may not be risked.  Zurich are without a win in their Europa League campaign, and posed few problems in Switzerland on match day two. They are also struggling on the domestic front, sitting just one point above the relegation zone after sixteen rounds. Right back Jorge Teixeira (pictured) was born in Lisbon, and began his career at Sporting before moving on to Casa Pia, Odivelas, Fatima, and eventually Switzerland. Speaking to UEFA.com, he admitted that “Sporting were crucial in my career. It will be also a good opportunity to show what I can do and make my name in Portugal.” Whilst Teixeira will be hoping for a successful return to the Alvalade, his hometown club have got their sights set firmly on the Europa League knockout phase, and will be hoping to get back to winning ways after their first major setback of the season. Ben Shave |
It's interesting in how Birmingham is fighting so hard in Europa while they are in the Championship League (2nd division in England), when they would most likely dismiss it if they were still in the Premiership.
Sporting would be better served to win as well. They don't want to have to go to Lazio in need of a result to win the group. That would be key in avoiding clubs dropping from the Champions League.
I really hope both clubs are able to get it done.