Today, Live Soccer TV puts two major points into perspective. Benfica’s marvellous chance to liberate themselves a bit from Porto’s supremacy and Sporting Braga’s advantage when it comes to team news—if not tactics. In truth, which team—between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon—has the best chances of reaching the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin?
Portuguese Giants Benfica Are Abundantly Confident
Benfica have obvious reasons to feel confident ahead of tonight’s European encounter. At the Estadio da Luz, they’ve already hosted and beaten Sporting Braga; that was in Portugal’s La Liga back in October last year. It needed a solitary goal from Carlos Martins to make the difference between the Eagles and the Warriors. This is the kind of result which Benfica coach Jorge Jesus is eying in the UEFA Europa League tonight as a historical achievement is at stake.
“I have never ever had the chance to reach a European final before,” Jesus stated according to UEFA.com.
“I have been close with Braga and Benfica, though. I reached the quarter-finals with both teams. It’s a prestigious occasion to play in a final for everyone involved. I hope and I am convinced as well that I will reach this goal for the first time.”
Benfica have indeed proven strong and luck has been on their side as well in their way to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League. They ousted PSG 3-2 on aggregate in the Round of 16 before setting an imposing 6-3 score line at the expense of PSV Eindhoven. So why wouldn’t they be able to maintain their momentum and to get a positive result against domestic rivals Sporting Braga? Coach Jorge Jesus sees no reason as to why the Eagles should worry about a prospective defeat. He continued:
“The important thing is to follow what we have done in previous ties; that is, to win at home so as to ease our qualification away from home.
“If we can do that and without conceding a goal, then that would be perfect. We have what it takes to reach the final and want to make the dream of winning it a reality.”
Sporting Braga Have Many Reasons To Believe
Analyzing Sporting Braga’s chances in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League cannot be made without taking into consideration the Warriors’ impossible achievements along the road. From their defeats of Celtic, Sevilla and Arsenal to their controversial triumph against Liverpool FC, Sporting Braga have reminded the public that minnows can fly high and cut rivals’ wings.
“We are Sporting Braga—nicknamed the Warriors—and we want to reach [the UEFA Europa League final] Dublin,” Coach Domingos Pacienca boldly reiterated in a pre-match press conference.
“I believe that the team which makes lesser mistakes will qualify. Meanwhile, a mistake could be fatal to either team. My players are very confident that they can clinch a win here at the Estádio da Luz.
“Benfica have conceded goals in 14 games in a row, but my team creates three of four chances per match. So, I hope we will be effective.”
Besides, Sporting Braga also have the experience of defeating Benfica. A few months ago, on March 6 precisely, the Warriors clinched a 2-1 victory on home soil over the Eagles in the Portuguese Liga. Remarkably, Sporting Braga haven’t lost in the league or in Europe since then. They’d be hoping to kick Benfica hard—knowing that the Eagles have to deal with unfortunate fitness issues involving Cesar Peixoto, Nicolas Gaitan and Carlos Martins. Sporting Braga’s squad, meanwhile, is full. The only player who is missing is Paulo Cesar, due to suspension.
With the Benfica-Sporting Lisbon semi-final tie, the presence of a Portuguese team in the final of the UEFA Europa League has been guaranteed. Which team will face either Porto or Villarreal in Dublin come May 5?
