Champions League play-off preview: Sevilla v Braga
Braga sprang a surprise in the play-off round first-leg after beating Sevilla 1-0. Now, with the second-leg to be played this evening, the Portuguese side are bidding to maintain their advantage and advance to the Champions League group stages for the first time in their history.
However, their Spanish opponents are vastly experienced in European competition and won’t be overawed by the task in hand, despite finding themselves a goal down on aggregate.
Sevilla will be mightily relieved to get back on home soil after last week’s first-leg loss, which was followed up by a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona at the weekend. Antonio Alvarez’s men were comprehensively beaten by Lionel Messi and co at the Nou Camp on Sunday as the Catalans lifted the Spanish Super Cup.
Rediscovering their confidence will be crucial for the Rojiblancos. An early goal would certainly ease any nerves, but conceding a potentially-crucial away goal to Braga would leave them with a mountain to climb.
With the quality at their disposal, the two-time Uefa Cup winners are huge favourites to progress to the group stages of the Champions League. Qualification will make it a far more lucrative season for the Primera Liga outfit, and Alvarez will be under intense pressure to ensure that his team delivers tonight, when it matters most.
Braga may relish their underdog status, though. In the previous qualifying round, the Portuguese side weren’t expected to brush Celtic aside in the manner they did. A 3-0 first-leg victory effectively sealed their spot in the play-off round; and even though they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat in Glasgow, it was still an efficient display from the Portuguese Liga runners-up.
On the evidence of last season, Braga are far more vulnerable when playing away from their unique Estádio Municipal home stadium. All three of their league defeats last season came on the road, and they could only draw their opening away match against Vitoria Setubal at the weekend.
Therefore, they could be forgiven for finding the trip to the 45,000-capacity Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan slightly daunting; but in order to seal their place in the group stages it’ll be imperative that Braga’s players ignore the expectant home crowd and produce another committed display.
Manager Domingos Paciência will be hoping Sevilla goalkeeper Andrés Palop and star striker Luis Fabiano fail to recover from their respective thigh injuries in time; although if there’s a chance that the talented duo can feature then they almost certainly will.
Whether Fabiano plays or not, Braga will still have to contend with the likes of Jesus Navas, Renato and Frédéric Kanouté, who’s been hailed as “phenomenal” by his coach ahead of tonight’s play-off clash.
Meanwhile, Braga will have to make do without their first choice goalkeeper, Quim. Defender Léo Fortunato and midfielder Mossoró also miss out because of injury, while defender Miguel Garcia is suspended.
Nevertheless, the Braga coach remains confident. "This is a dream we think we can accomplish," Paciência revealed.
Just 90 minutes away from arguably the most famous night in the club’s history, the travelling Braga supporters will be praying the dream doesn’t quickly descend into a nightmare.
Prediction: Sevilla 1 Braga 0 (Sevilla win on penalties)
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