Arouca’s European adventure ended in disappointment yesterday as a 3-1 defeat against Brann on the night meant a 4-3 aggregate loss and a premature exit from the Europa Conference League.
The result continues the horrendous record of Portuguese clubs in the competition, with no Primeira Liga club managing to make the group stage. In three seasons, 6 teams have fallen by the wayside in the qualifying or playoff rounds.
Daniel Ramos’ side went into the match with a narrow lead after a 2-1 victory in first leg in Portugal last week, but Felix Mayhre’s early goal levelled the scores on aggregate.
The crucial moment in the tie came just before half time when the Norwegians scored two quick-fire goals, through Fredrik Knutsen and Bard Finne.
Arouca were right back in contention before the hour mark though, as Morlaye Sylla’s strike meant just one goal separated the two teams.
Soon afterwards Arouca’s Spanish striker Cristo González crashed an effort against the bar. The Portuguese team applied heavy pressure against an ever-retreating Brann defence but could not find the goal that would have sent the tie into extra time.
Coverage controversy
At the end of the match coach Daniel Ramos did not provide any comments as no Portuguese journalists had travelled to Norway to cover the match.
Indeed, any Arouca fans back home wanting to watch the match on local TV were unable to as failure to reach an agreement about broadcasting fees meant Portuguese channel Sport TV did not screen the match, as previously advertised.
Arouca captain Daivd Simão took to Instagram to express his disgust at the lack of media coverage given to his team’s campaign.
“Thank you to everyone who watched the game on television in Portugal, or not, as there was no space for it or interest shown in following the team that finished 5th in the Portuguese League last season. It saddens and disappoints me to see how Arouca are treated in our football. See you on Sunday.”
By Tom Kundert
