LOTS TO BRAGA ABOUT
Amorim’s stars send warning to Gers with historic win in Benfica
Red-hot Braga beat Benfica away in the league for the first time in 65 YEARS to send out a Europa League warning to Rangers.
The Portuguese outfit still haven’t lost under new coach Ruben Amorim after their stunning win in Lisbon last night.
That’s ominous for Steven Gerrard’s fragile Ibrox side ahead of the first-leg tie on Thursday.
Braga went toe-to-toe with the Primeira Liga leaders in their own backyard and came out on top thanks to Joao Palhinha’s first-half header.
Now they’ll come to Glasgow in midweek full of confidence and looking to inf lict more damage on Gers.
Gerrard recently bemoaned the fact that most Scottish teams come to Ibrox to pack their defence with no ambition to win.
But one thing’s for sure – he won’t get that when Braga roll up in Govan.
Judging by their performance at the Estadio da Luz against the Portuguese champs, Amorim’s team are unlikely to sit in.
That might suit Gerrard and Rangers if it gives them space to play and exploit Braga’s weaknesses.
Amorim started the match with what initially looked like a defensive 5-3-2 system.
And when Braga don’t have the ball, full-backs Ricardo Esgaio and Nuno Sequeiro are quick to get back and tuck in.
But when they get possession?
Not only do those two push on to make it a 3-4-3, but centre-backs Wallace and Raul Silva spread, making it easier for them to play out. Amorim’s style dithering on the ball, which almost cost his team.
The youngster was having a nightmare and when he was booked for a verging-on-red tackle that he had no right to go for, team-mates were having to tell him to calm down.
In the heat of a European night at Ibrox, with 50,000 fans on top of him, Carmo’s inexperience is something Gers must take advantage of.
Ahead of the back five, Braga’s two central midfielders were skipper Fransergio and playmaker Palhinha, who is on loan from Sporting Lisbon.
Palhinha is the one who dictates play from deep, setting the tempo for Amorim’s side.
Then in attack, wide men Ricardo Horta and Brazilian Galeno alternate on either flank in support of central striker Paulinho.
Galeno, in particular, has a trick up his sleeve – he mesmerised a Benfica defender at one point with a flick and turn that left his man for dead.
The forward players are given licence to roam into areas where they can hurt you and that’s what Rangers have to be wary of.
Because despite gifting Benfica chances, they looked a real threat in the final third.
Not long after Carlos Vinicius had missed a gilt-edged opportunity for the hosts, with Braga caught out again in a wide area, they got their noses in front.
Sequeira’s brilliant delivery into the box from a corner was met by the head of unmarked Palhinha, who scored from six yards.
The stadium fell silent apart from the faintest of roars in the very top corner from the tiny band of travelling Braga fans.
Palhinha ran to the home support only to be pelted by cups and other objects.
It was a golden goal for Amorim, who couldn’t even celebrate on the touchline because the 34-year- old isn’t allowed in the dug- out until he gets his UEFA coaching badges.
After the break, Braga were under pressure from a home crowd baying for their blood.
But they held out well in a sign that they’ll fancy their chances at Ibrox.