Minho’s team is one step away from playing in another Europa League semi=final.
Sporting Braga has the opportunity this Thursday to make history, returning to a Europa League semi=final and repeating the feat of 2010/11 when, under the command of Domingos Paciencia, they reached the final in Dublin, losing to André Villas-Boas’ FC Porto (0-1). To achieve this, Carlos Vicens’ team, after the draw at the Pedreira stadium (1-1) , will have to beat Betis at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. This is an objective within reach for the Warriors of the Corn, not only because of what we saw in the first leg, but also because the Spanish team has only won one of its last ten games.
A golden opportunity for Sp. Braga, at a time when their fourth place in the league is becoming increasingly solidified, with a five=point advantage over Famalicão and still with a game in hand.
In this context, Carlos Vicens will have to field his best eleven, with no room for squad management. Rodrigo Zalazar has recovered from injury and traveled with the team, but, as Vicens revealed in the pre=match press conference, the Uruguayan is still limited and doubtful for tonight’s game .
Regarding the first leg match, the Minho team’s coach will not be able to count on Niakate and Diego Rodrigues, both injured, with Vítor Carvalho and Joao Moutinho vying for their respective places.
On Betis’ side, Manuel Pelegrinni is expected to field a starting eleven very similar to the one that played at the Pedreira stadium a week ago, especially since the Chilean coach rotated the team over the weekend during their visit to Osasuna.
The big news in Pelegrinni’s squad list is the return of Isco, recovered from injury, but the Spanish international is expected to start the game on the bench.