Sp. Braga returned to the Champions League with an unfortunate defeat against Napoli (2-1). An own goal by Niakaté just before the final whistle ruined Braga’s effort. In the other match in the group, Real Madrid defeated Union Berlin 1-0.
If Victor Osimhen (one of the 12 nominees for the best in the world) came in like a devil and put Braga’s defense on target every time he had the ball – in the 5th and 10th minutes he forced Matheus into a great save and in the In the 26th minute he hit the crossbar – Ricardo Horta, Álvaro Djaló and Abel Ruiz did nothing less.
Just 3 minutes into the match, the captain, who played his 335th match yesterday and became the third player with the most appearances for Sp. Braga – only Alan (347) and José Maria Azevedo (405) more – Meret to a tight save. . In the 26th minute, Álvaro Djaló missed Meret’s goal by a few centimeters and in the 31st minute Ruiz missed (literally) an open goal.
Before halftime, the referee canceled a possible penalty against Minho’s team, but the Neapolitans would actually reach the goal before halftime and with a bit of luck in the rebound.
After a cross from the left, Osimhen deviated towards the penalty area at the far post, where Di Lorenzo appeared to shoot hard with his left foot… the ball arced and even hit the corner of the goal before going in without being touched. Matheus was able to respond.
The visitors’ slim advantage and the number of shots from both sides in the first 45 minutes kept the game open in the second half. But history was against the fighters, who had never overturned a deficit in a Champions League match.
The first twenty minutes were intense football without the beauty and freshness that you saw in the first half. Apart from a chance for both teams (Horta, for Sp. Braga) and Kvaratskhelia (Naples), the ball went very far from the goals.
The coaches realized it was time to change some parts. In the case of Braga, Artur Jorge renewed the midfield with Rodrigo Zalazar (he removed Vitor Carvalho) and that made the difference. Sp. Braga equalized in the 84th minute, with a beautiful header from Bruma… who did not deserve Niakaté’s betrayal shortly afterwards.
The stands were still celebrating the draw when Niakaté deflected Zielinski’s cross into his own goal. Horta and Pizzi (hit the post) tried to draw again, but the lack of time before the end of the match and Italian cynicism did not allow it, leaving Sp. Braga lost on their return to the Champions League and are in last place in Group C.
Source: DN
