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Based: Braga (Northern Portugal)
Founded: 1921
Stadium: Estadio AXA
Chairman: Antonio Salvador
Manager: José Peseiro
Overview
SC Braga are a club that have really established themselves in the consciousness of the football fan in the 2000s after achieving several 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the Portuguese Liga. In doing so, they have challenged the hegemony of the Big Three in Portugal and delivered a litany of eye-catching performances in Europe. As many will recall, Braga reached the 2011 Europa Cup final against Andre Villas-Boas' Porto, only to succumb to the brilliance of Radamel Falcao. The Northern outfit reached the Champion's League group stages for the first time in their history in 2010/11 after dispatching both Celtic and Sevilla in the qualifying stages. Braga's passage to this year's group stages involved negotiating a difficult tie against Udinese. which they did via the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.
Braga arrive at Old Trafford on Tuesday night hoping to put a serious dent into United's bid to secure passage to the knock-out stages. The Iberian outfit have had an erratic start to their Champion's League campaign thus far, garnering three points from their two matches. A victory would put them level on points with United and galvanise their bid to reach the knock-out stage for the very first time. Matchday One saw Braga inexplicably lose to CFR Cluj at home despite dominating the game for large spells, eventually getting outdone by two incisive breakaway goals from former player Rafael Bastos. This jarring defeat was followed up by a daunting trip to face Galatasaray in the unsettling atmosphere of the Sami Ali Yen Stadium. Despite the imposing backdrop, Braga managed to record an impressive victory with goals from Ruben Micael and Alan.
Braga will have been galvanised by the news that both Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra will be rested after their exertions over the weekend. They have the attacking threat that can hurt United, who themselves have been less than impressive in Europe this season. Braga are undefeated in seven away games in Europe, which is no mean feat given that they have travelled to the likes of Galatasaray, Sevilla and Udinese. Their club captain Alan will give Alexander Buttner some cause for concern down the left side, as will Helder Barbosa for Rafael (who should start on Tuesday). Up front, Braga will call upon the services of the powerful Eder, joint second top-scorer in Portugal and a man that has been touted by some as the answer to the national team's perennial goalscorer problem. He will certainly cause problems to a makeshift defensive back line that may include Michael Carrick or Scott Wootton.
Recent results
Date Result Competition
07 Oct 2012 Braga 4 - SC Olhanense 4 POR1
02 Oct 2012 Galatasaray 0 - Braga 2 UCL
28 Sep 2012 Vitoria Guimaraes 0 Braga 2 POR1
23 Sep 2012 Braga 4 - Rio Ave 1 POR1
19 Sep 2012 Braga 0 - CFR Cluj 2 UCL
Team and Formation (probable)
Player to watch
Hugo Viana (Central Midfield)
Many British viewers will remember Hugo Viana from his time at Newcastle, a stint that was unmemorable and inauspicious for the Portuguese maestro. After leaving Newcastle, Viana moved to Valencia but was unable to establish himself there, being loaned out to Osasuna and Braga during his spell at the Mestalla. He secured a permanent transfer to Braga in 2010 and, while not quite realising the potential seen early in his career, Viana has put in some steady and impressive performances for the Arsenalistas.
Viana is a player with great quality on the ball, being able to play short quick passes, as well as penetrative through-balls to the likes of Eder. His set pieces are also dangerous and United will have to be wary when conceding free-kicks in threatening positions. United will have to guard against the midfield pairing of Viana and Custodio getting a foothold in the game. The two compliment each very well, with the elegance of Viana and the reslience of Custodio; a combination that has hurt United in the past.
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Osman Iqbal (Nonedy)
