Sporting Braga qualified for the regular stage of the Europa League this Thursday after a 2-2 draw in Austria with Rapid Vienna, a game they lost by two goals.
Arrey-Mbi scored an own goal in the ninth minute to give the Austrians the lead, an advantage that Jansson extended in the 47th. But just two minutes later Sporting de Braga equalised through El Ouazzani (68, penalty) and a goal from Ricardo Horta (70).
Minho’s team won 2-1 in the first leg in Braga a week ago, gaining this Thursday’s rubber-stamped entry into the regular stage of the Europa League, which guarantees 4.3 million euros in your coffers.
Sporting Braga did not play a very good game, but this reaction, thanks in large part to the “heart” of Gabri Martinez, allowed them to advance, reaching the main stage after going through three qualifying rounds.
Carlos Carvalhal repeated the eleven he presented in the previous game against Moreirense (3-1 home win) on Sunday in the league, but saw Rapid Vienna score early on.
After a corner from the left, Ricardo Horta missed the near post and Arrey-Mbi, unfortunately, sent the ball into his own goal (09′).
In the 15/20 minute of the game, Sporting Braga began to take control of the game, and in the 22nd minute, Zalazar dangerously headed the ball into the penalty area, but towards the opposing goalkeeper.
In the 38th minute, the coach of the Minho team had to change the lineup due to an injury to Robson Bambu (another muscle injury for the Braga team), calling on Paulo Oliveira.
Sporting Braga had more time in possession and in the 41st minute Zalazar hit the post after a corner.
The second half could not have started worse for Braga: the Austrians scored their second goal thanks to Jansson, who showed coldness in the person of Matheus, after an easy overtaking of Arrey-Mbi, who had a terrible approach to the move (47) – poor play from the German central defender.
Carlos Carvalhal, who the day before had said that Sporting de Braga needed to score goals in Vienna, changed the team shortly after, bringing on Roger and El Ouazzani at once, but in the 52nd minute it was Gabri Martinez with a curved shot that gave the motto of what he would do, scoring two goals for Minho’s team.
In the 68th minute, the Austrian defence allowed the Spanish striker to move left and Jansson brought him down, triggering a penalty which El Ouazzani converted.
Soon after, Gorby replaced Vitor Carvalho and Mignon’s team scored a second goal moments later, again with Gabri Martinez “inventing” the opportunity on the left flank, insisting on the baseline and giving Ricardo Horta the equalizer (70) and the lead in the round.
Rapid Wien went in search of a goal, but it was time for Matheus to close the gap with strikes from Burgstaller (80) and Seidl (83), while Sporting de Braga, with experience, contained their opponents’ final momentum.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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