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Braga bow out of the Europa League after disappointing 1-0 defeat

Braga 0-1 Rangers (aggregate: 2-4)

Sporting Braga’s UEFA Europa League campaign has ended after a 1-0 defeat against Rangers at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. The Portuguese club dominated possession but poor defending wayward finishing and a resolute Rangers defence was their downfall, along with surrendering a 2-0 lead in Glasgow.

Matheus saved Ianis Hagi’s penalty on the stroke of half-time but the Romanian playmaker wouldn't be denied, assisting Ryan Kent for the match winner in the 61st minute. Steven Gerrard’s side advance 4-2 on aggregate.

Braga have ball, Hagi has magic

Braga’s persistent press forced Rangers turnovers early on but it was the Scottish club who created the first chance. Scott Arfield raced through and unselfishly squared to Florian Kamberi but Matheus stood strong.

Ricardo Esgaio and Nuno Sequeira were getting forward and crossing with regularity. Kamberi’s main objective was to get behind Braga’s defence but he was seemingly unaware of the offside rule.

Ricardo Horta’s cute attempt was deflected wide before Ianis Hagi began to showcase his skills. The 21-year-old skinned Raúl Silva and David Carmo, burst inside the box and found Ryan Kent who dragged his shot wide.

Hagi takes centre stage

Raúl Silva was being targeted and not responding well, a loose pass out of defence and foul on Hagi who sent a dangerous free kick over the bar. Kamberi then released Hagi with Bruno Viana showing speed to get back and clear.

Paulinho would have the first of four headed attempts in the 26th minute, a powerful effort tipped over by Allan McGregor. Francisco Trincão switched flanks to link up with Sequeira but Rangers were prepared to sit back and wait for fast break opportunities.

Esgaio found Ricardo Horta beyond the Rangers’ defence but there was no end product from the Portuguese side. They were very nearly punished on the stroke of half time as they conceded a penalty from a Rangers corner.

There was no apparent danger but Raúl Silva’s inexplicable and lazy handball saw Haji step up to the spot. He struck it with with venom but Matheus turned it wide in an exciting end to the half.

Second half switches

Rúben Amorim wasted no time by replacing João Palhinha with João Novais to start the second half. Trincão and Esgaio resumed their partnership on the right flank where they continued to create danger.

Raúl Silva made way for Wenderson Galeno as Kent fired a Kamberi cross over the bar, but Rangers got their deserved goal in the 61st minute. Who else but Hagi to instigate, a clever ball over the defence where Kent ran clear and beat Matheus with a low drive.

Amorim made his final move in the 64th minute, sacrificing another centre back as Carmo came off for Abel Ruiz.

Paulinho off target

A João Novais cross found Paulinho in the 70th minute with his header striking the foot of the post. His head was a magnet but unfortunately for Braga, unable to direct the ball into the net.

Joe Aribo replaced Hagi as Arfield scored from an offside position. Paulinho headed another effort over the bar as Braga's frustrating evening came to a close

Ricardo Esgaio and Abel Ruiz picked up late bookings to highlight a horrid evening. Rangers were not done yet, Ojo going on a solo run in added time before a swerving low drive forced a save from Matheus. 

Slide began in Scotland

Braga’s chances of progression appeared promising at 2-0 up in the first leg at Ibrox. Goals to Fransergio and Abel Ruiz had the Portuguese club in full command but they let it slip in the worst possible fashion.

 

Conceding three goals in 15 minutes wasn’t part of the plan and coming away from Glasgow with a 3-2 defeat was a psychological blow. Braga’s inability to close out the first leg was a large reason for their demise.

Fransérgio lamented the first leg result after the defeat in Braga, saying: “We could have killed the tie there, we couldn't, we will learn from our mistakes so that next time they don't happen.”

Sloppy defence

Rangers’ intentions were clear as they ended the match with 9-0 offside calls and Florian Kamberi responsible for six of them. The ease with which Scott Arfield stormed through the centre of Braga’s defence was an early warning sign.

Raúl Silva had a nervy start and failed to recover, the same could be said for David Carmo with both centre-backs well below their best. It was evident in their comical attempts to stop Ianis Hagi in the 19th minute, Silva’s clumsy challenge on Hagi that presented a free kick and a shocking handball that led to a Rangers penalty.

Raúl Silva was deservedly hooked for Galeno early in the second half, Carmo replaced by Abel Ruiz three minutes after losing Kent for Rangers’ goal. It was Carmo’s first appearance in the Europa League this season and it showed, starting him next to an underdone Raúl Silva backfired badly for Amorim.

Trincão tries hard

Francisco Trincão had to settle for substitute appearances in the first half of the season despite being Portugal's best player at the U20 World Cup. Braga were apparently trying to keep the young star under wraps but Barcelona were watching and made their move.

Trincão has become chief playmaker and did his best to create goalscoring opportunities without success. His link up play was impressive but Rangers’ low block meant space in the final third was limited.

The 20-year-old has a bright future ahead of him but was overshadowed by Rangers’ young gun from Romania.

Inspirational Ianis

Ianis Hagi impressed for Romania at the 2019 Euro U21 Championship and made his way to Rangers on loan via KRC Genk. The 21-year-old was the standout player in the match and unfortunate not to convert a penalty on the stroke of halftime.

His assist for Kent’s goal was top class, and Hagi was the main difference in the tie after scoring two goals in the first leg. Rangers will be doing everything possible to make the deal permanent after an impressive start at the Scottish club.

 

Ryan Kent warrants praise for his goal and will be disappointed not to score more than one. He has the potential to contribute to a deadly attacking trio alongside Alfredo Morales and Hagi.

Credit Rangers

Steven Gerrard and his side don’t lose often, especially in the Europa League where they are unbeaten in 15 of their 16 matches this season. Rangers deserve credit for navigating their way to the Europa League last 16 for the first time since 2011.

Braga were the second Portuguese club to taste defeat against Rangers after Porto were held to a 1-1 draw at the Estádio Do Dragão and lost 2-0 at Ibrox. Rangers got the win in Braga without influential striker Alfredo Morales who was suspended.

Gerrard was understandably delighted after the match, saying: “I am proud of all the players to a man, especially the ones that traveled here tonight because it was a very, very tough challenge against a good, dangerous team. They have a young coach who has got them in fantastic form and we are the first team to beat them twice in the space of a week.”

“So I am really pleased and proud of everyone at the club because it has been a bit of a rollercoaster of late and tonight is obviously a real big high and a special achievement.”

Reflection for Amorim

Rúben Amorim’s start to life as Braga manager couldn’t have started much better following a 7-1 win at Belenenses. That victory began a seven match win streak that included a 2-1 win at Porto in the Primeira Liga and victories over Sporting CP and Porto to claim the Taça da Liga.

Confidence was high going into the Rangers tie off the back of a 1-0 win at Benfica, their first victory at Estadio da Luz in 65 years, but it wasn’t to be. Braga went to Ibrox unbeaten in nine games under Amorim and the 35-year-old manager now has to analyse two defeats in seven days.

Braga have a favourable fixture list for the remaining 12 games of the Primeira Liga season culminating in home match against Porto on the final day. The Arsenalistas are well placed for another top 4 finish and another crack at the Europa League.

By Matthew Marshall