Sporting de Braga clearly won 3-0 against the Serbians from Backa Topola in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Football Champions League today and already has the play-off in sight.
Bruma, in the 17th minute, Pizzi, in the 19th minute, and Álvaro Djaló, in the 87th minute, scored the goals of a victory that is both indisputable and scarce given the team’s attacking volume and the opportunities missed by the Minho.
Backa Topola, runners-up in 2022/23, have already played two rounds in the Serbian championship this season, but even that didn’t stop them from being completely dominated by a ‘gala’ Sporting Braga, especially in the first half, to reach great delight of the approximately 22 thousand spectators in the stands.
With two reinforcements in the ‘eleven’, José Fonte and Vítor Carvalho, Artur Jorge’s team came into the game very strongly and after eight minutes Bruma forced the opponent’s goalkeeper into a difficult defense.
The Portugal international winger would even score with a shot from outside the box after bending to the ground from the left and being ‘discovered’ by a great touch from Borja, with whom he had a ‘frenzied’ left wing in the first 45 minutes formed. minutes.
Warning: Hurricane Bruma nearby ⚠️#sporttvportugal #FOOTBALLnaSPORTTV #UEFA Champions League #scbraga #backa pic.twitter.com/hv82MZ8omU
– SPORTTV (@SPORTTVPortugal) August 8, 2023
Two minutes later, recovered from the Minho’s quick ball, Abel Ruiz isolated Pizzi with a pass over an opposing defender and the experienced midfielder, in the ‘face’ of Ilic, showed composure to finish.
no time to waste
SC Braga makes the second #sporttvportugal #FOOTBALLnaSPORTTV #UEFA Champions League #scbraga #backa pic.twitter.com/SvJCnOGeVf
– SPORTTV (@SPORTTVPortugal) August 8, 2023
Soon after, Backa could have reduced Topola, the only opportunity they created in the entire match, but Pantovic shot way over the top in prime position (21), a move that was an exception to Sporting de Braga’s near-total dominance in this period.
In the 24th minute, Pizzi almost scored twice and 10 minutes later it was Al Musrati who came very close to the third of the ‘arsenalists’ after a great play on the left, with Bruma, ‘devils’, serving the Libyan. for a penalty in progress, but Petrovic, on top of the goal line, prevented the goal.
In the ensuing corner, José Fonte forced the keeper to an attentive defense with a header (35).
The second half naturally fell in rhythm, also given the early phase of the season and Artur Jorge made changes to the team, with the Braga playing on Friday and receiving Famalicão in the first round of the I Liga.
Sporting de Braga continued to dominate, but failed to create the same number – and quality – of dangerous moves.
Still, a poor exit from Backa Topola, who ‘put’ the ball at Al Musrati’s feet and he immediately in front of Álvaro Djaló, saw the Braga team score the third goal and do more justice to the scoreboard.
Alvaro Djalo
SC Braga wins 3-0 #sporttvportugal #FOOTBALLnaSPORTTV #UEFA Champions League #scbraga #backa pic.twitter.com/V39CbtRnWc
– SPORTTV (@SPORTTVPortugal) August 8, 2023
The second leg of the third qualifying round will take place on August 15 in Serbia, and if, as everything indicates, they go through to the play-offs, Sporting de Braga will meet the winner of the game between Panathinaikos and Marseille, in the final ‘barrier’ for the group stage.
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Source: DN
