Braga Set Sail On Maiden Voyage

          Braga begin their maiden Champions League campaign tonight with a tough trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal. Braga are in a rich vein of form continuing their impressive performances from last year. The victory over Celtic in the third qualifying round came as somewhat of a surprise amongst British viewers but it was Braga’s two wins over Sevilla which shocked the whole of Europe. Sevilla once again entered the competition as many people’s outsiders but they couldn’t cope with Braga’s intense counter-attacking style.

            Braga have been regulars in Europe with six consecutive appearance in the Uefa Cup but the 2009/10 season saw them finish in second place – their highest ever league position. They outshone two of Portugal’s traditional big three, FC Porto and Sporting Clube de Portugal. In fact they were holding off SL Benfica for long periods before their class and spending power finally paid off with about a third of the season still to go. It is their home record which kept them at the top of the league, with impressive victories over all of the top three, keeping clean sheets in all three games. They conceded just six goals in fifteen games at the Estadio AXA, their idyllic home ground which was specially constructed for the Euro 2004 tournament. The stadium has only two stands with one goalmouth being in the shadow of a sheer rock face, part of the Monte Castro quarry, and the other providing a great view of the city, making the ground one of the most iconic in Portugal and Europe.

            Os Arsenalistas (Braga’s nickname due to the fact that they copied Arsenal’s shirt design under the leadership of Josef Szabo) face Arsenal tonight with low expectations but Arsene Wenger will be keen for his side not to be complacent, as Braga showed at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán that they can go to a top side’s ground and win.

Young manager Domingos Paciencia has created a great team ethic amongst the squad since arriving last summer to replace the outgoing Jorge Jesus. The former Porto striker understands the extent of the test facing them this year but is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against managers of Wenger’s class.

Braga don’t possess many household names but in Hugo Viana they have an experienced international who has the quality to unlock defences, although his positive showings have been few and far between at the highest level. He will most likely have to settle for a spot on the bench with Luis Aguiar pulling the strings in midfield after re-signing on loan from Dynamo Moscow, although the two could coexist in front of a defensive shield if Paciencia decides to be adventurous. New signing Lima made an instant impression against Sevilla as a sub in the second leg with a classy hat-trick to confirm their passage to the next round. The former Belenenses man will most likely play out wide against Arsenal with Matheus and Paulo Cesar completing the front three. Experienced forward Alan will be available from the bench to provide either late impetus or to hold on to the ball in the unlikely event that they are still in the game. Another player to luck out for from the bench is Hélder Barbosa. The tricky winger finally left Porto permanently this summer after loan spells at Académica, Trofense and Vitória Setúbal. Many thought he could have had a similar impact to Silvestre Varela but Os Dragões thought differently. He could test tired legs near the end of the game and his unpredictability might pose problems for the notoriously shaky Arsenal backline. Young full-back Sílvio is another to watch having just made his debut for the national side in the thrilling 4-4 tie with Cyprus.

            The 4-3 win over Sevilla was uncharacteristic for a side not renowned for scoring goals, particularly away from home. Last year they had a decent record but were tellingly beaten by both Porto and Benfica, whilst Celtic despatched them at Parkhead by two goals to one. So the Sevilla game was an exception and Braga will need another great showing to upset the Gunners on their home turf. An early goal conceded and they could collapse but if they can nick the opener then they are wily enough to hold on to the advantage. Braga enter the competition as something of a mystery and so tonight they are very much testing the water. If they are to progress to the second round it will be their home form which will be key but if they can gain some points on the road then they have a chance of upsetting both Arsenal and the Brazilian inspired Shakhtar Donetsk.