WHO ARE BRAGA? That’s what a lot of football fans in Ireland are wondering to themselves as the Portuguese outfit prepare for their UEFA Europa League final clash against FC Porto tonight.
After taking a look at hotly-tipped favourites Porto yesterday, we introduce the perennial underdogs of Portuguese football as they go in search for their first European trophy and first cup victory since 1966.
The History Bit
Braga can be best described as Portugal’s nearly club; always there or thereabouts, always on the peripheral of the top clubs – but never good enough to break into the VIP suite.
Their runner-up spot in the league a year ago was the closest they’ve gotten to tasting a top-flight victory in its 96-year history.
The only major cup in the cabinet at the Estadio AXA is the domestic cup they won way back in 1966. They have been runners-up three times in that competition, while in the league the lowest position they’ve notched in the last 20 years has been 15th.
Usually comfortable in avoiding a relegation dogfight, but never good enough to break into the top three, that all changed last year.
After the arrival of Domingos Paciência from Academica, Braga finished in second place, earning a Champions League spot. It was the first time the club really established itself in the Portuguese league and they’ve done their country proud with the phenomenal underdog performances they’ve produced in Europe.
They’re not shy to European competition though, having qualified for Europe in each of the last seven seasons. However up until this year’s final spot here in Dublin, the furthest they’d gotten was to the Round of 16.
How was their season?
This season has been a lot more disappointing domestically. With the distraction of Champions League football, Braga’s league form suffered in the early part of the season. They finished third in the group stage, losing out to Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk, but their results meant they’d be falling into the safety net that is the Europa League.
From there it was all steam ahead for Braga, kicking off life in the Europa League in impressive fashion with a 1-0 aggregate win over one of the favourites Liverpool. The away goals rule gave them the victory against Dynamo Kiev in the quarter-finals, before the away goals rule came to their rescue again in their 2-2 defeat of Portuguese rivals Benfica.
The Boss
The man hoping to topple Porto this Thursday in Dublin is not only a former Porto player, but a bit of a legend around those parts. Domingos Paciência spent a combined 13 years at the Estádio do Dragᾶo where he won seven league titles, six supercups and five Portuguese Cups over two spells.
The 43-year-old’s first managerial post was with the Porto ‘B’ side. After a year there, he was given the managing role at first division side UD Leiria. After just one year at Leria, he took the step up to the premier division with Academica where he spent two years and was replaced, ironically, with current Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas.
It’s been quite a time at Braga, leading them to a historic second place finish in his first season at the club having spent most of the campaign at the top.
One to watch
In regards one standout player, Braga don’t really have one main outlet. They function as one strong unit and, after all, it’s a team game. Up front, Brazilian striker Lima has been a threat for Braga this season but only has six league goals to his name, a tally which betters everyone else in the squad. Paciencia will be hoping the 27-year-old can find his goalscoring boots for this game, and do Porto some damage.
Anyone else?
Another Brazilian, Mossoró, has been integral to Braga’s success over the last two years. The 27-year-old has been a regular in Europe for Braga, and although he hasn’t been worrying opposition goalkeepers Braga fans will be hoping he can produce another resolute, confident midfield performance for them to overcome Porto.
A Bluffer’s Guide to Porto | How to get to and from ‘the Dublin Arena’ tonight