Domingos Paciencia believes Braga could still make it to the finals: UEFA Europa League news
Sporting Braga’s coach Domingos Paciencia has revealed that his team could still make it to the finals of the UEFA Europa League. He was talking after his team were edged out by a 2-1 margin in the first-leg of their semifinal against the fellow Portuguese
outfit, Benfica. The match took place on Thursday, April 28 at the Estadio da Luz.
The 42-year-old expressed grief at his team’s loss but was encouraged by the one away goal which his team would carry into the second-leg. He insisted that everything is not lost and there are another 90 minutes that are yet to be played which will decide
who goes through and who goes out.
"Defeat is not a good result but we know that everything is open," said Paciencia after the game. "We will try to come back at home and go through. What I can say is that it will certainly be a different Braga than here. We need to start better, we were
very nervous because of the importance of the game. As the match went on we got better and in the second-half we created chances."
Former Uniao Leiria manager believed that his team had some wonderful chances but unfortunately they lacked the finishing touch. He was confident that the scenario would be whole lot of a different once he gets a chance to host Benfica next week. He urged
his players to put this defeat behind them and look ahead at the upcoming fixtures which are equally important in order to regain momentum.
The manager concluded by stating, "We could have scored one more but we know that 1-0 will be enough, so the players have confidence. Playing at home in front of our fans we will be great."
Sporting Braga are currently third in the Super Liga with 44 points and are left with only three games to be played in the League.
They are next up against Uniao Leiria in the League on Sunday, May 1 before they host Benfica for the semifinal’s second-leg on Thursday, May 5.
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