Portuguese pledge not to cave in again

BRAGA assistant boss Micael Sequeira has vowed his team have learned the bitter lessons of their Ibrox collapse and are ready to reach the last 16 of the Europa League.

The Portuguese side were 2-0 up in the first leg in Glasgow and seemingly coasting before Steven Gerrard’s men scored three times in 15 second-half minutes to take a slender advantage into the second leg.

Their new boss Ruben Amorim left media duties to his right-hand man yesterday. And Sequeira vowed Braga will be going flat out to ensure there is no repeat of their slack second-half showing in Glasgow.

‘What happened at Ibrox was a lesson to learn and the players have been working hard to avoid allowing that to happen again,’ he insisted.

‘We have practised to change what we did in the first match and we believe things will be different in the second leg.

‘It is going to be tough. We expect it to be difficult, given that Rangers are a team used to fighting for their own league.

‘But the players are all ready and they will all work hard to get a good result.

‘And, if we win, then obviously the two goals we scored at Ibrox will have played a major role.

‘Despite the fact we did lose over there, we have two away goals that can be relevant at the end of the second leg.

‘Rangers is a tough team but we believe we will go through.’

Sequeira called on the Braga fans to recreate the intense atmosphere of Ibrox in tonight’s 5pm kick-off.

Around 20,000 fans — including 5,000 travelling Rangers supporters — are expected in the 30,000-capacity Municipal Stadium this evening as this last-32 tie comes to a conclusion.

In a bid to boost the home attendance, the hosts are offering free tickets to school pupils and students.

‘I know the time is not the most convenient but I urge the supporters to come,’ said Sequeira. ‘The Rangers fans created a great impact in the first game and I believe if the Braga fans do the same, then things can go in our favour.

‘I can promise the supporters we will chase the win from the first minute of the match.

‘The weather in Scotland was also a factor that affected our performance in the first leg.

‘However, on Wednesday shouldn’t be a problem.

‘The weather is nice and we should be able to play a good match, knowing the pitch is fine.’

Meanwhile, Braga striker Paulinho has backed them to claim a place in the last 16.

The Portuguese forward said: ‘The first match was epic and not the game we were expecting.

‘But we will be ready for Rangers and I believe we can win and go through to the next stage.

‘Of course it will be a tough challenge. Rangers are physically tough and solid and they help each other a lot.

‘But we have analysed their players and team as a whole. Just like any side, they have their weaknesses and disadvantages.

‘We will try to score the most goals and get the win. I believe we can do that.’ it