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Braga:
Who are they? It is a north London derby of sorts as Braga are the Arsenal of Portugal. The association stems from the 1930s when then coach Jose Szabo watched a game at Highbury and decided there and then that his side needed to wear red and white instead of their green strips so impressed was he by the English side. The northerners have won one piece of silverware, the 1966 Portuguese Cup, and have been in the top flight for 32 years.
Recent form: Braga lost their third successive away match in the Portuguese Superliga at the weekend, although there were mitigating circumstances in that it was at leaders Porto. Despite the reverse they remain fourth in the table and last lost at home in late October.
European record: This is the third successive season they have been in the Uefa Cup, but the first time they have progressed in that time having lost to Hearts in 2004 and Red Star Belgrade in 2005. Braga, who last reached this stage nine years ago when going down to eventual champions Schalke 04, have a terrible record against English opponents having lost both legs to West Bromwich Albion in 1978/79 and Tottenham in 1984/85.
How did they get here? Came fourth in Superliga for the second successive season so hey presto, here they are. They beat Italian side Chievo 3-2 on aggregate to reach the group stage where they finished third behind AZ and Sevilla, having lost to both on the road. They won their first away game in the last round at Parma to secure their progression after a 1-0 win in Braga had maintained their 100% home record, where they are yet to concede a goal.
Ones to watch: Braga have shared the goals around in this campaign with Brazilian Wender the only man to have scored more than once in the club's haul of 11 in the tournament, with two. There is a south American flavour to Braga with Wender joined by a host of compatriots, plus Argentine midfielder Andres Madrid and Peruvian defender Rodriguez. Brazilian duo Ze Carlos and Diego could prove match-winners, former Portuguses legend Joao Pinto will add experience while their defence boasts the best home record in the competition.
Did you know? Never mind Arsenal, like Charlton they have gone through three managers so far. First up was highly-rated Carlos Carvalhal, who quit for "personal reasons" claiming he was at a "dead end" after six months in the job only to take over at struggling Beira Mar 48 hours later. That was November and the club were eighth. Cue the arrival of Rogerio Goncalves, who lasted until February before leaving by mutual consent with the club fifth in the table and halfway through their tie against Parma. Up stepped his assistant Jorge Costa who has won two and lost one of his three games in charge. Recognise the name? He won the Champions League with Porto and also turned out for Charlton in a back four that read Young-Fish-Costa-Fortune.
Who are they? It is a north London derby of sorts as Braga are the Arsenal of Portugal. The association stems from the 1930s when then coach Jose Szabo watched a game at Highbury and decided there and then that his side needed to wear red and white instead of their green strips so impressed was he by the English side. The northerners have won one piece of silverware, the 1966 Portuguese Cup, and have been in the top flight for 32 years.
Recent form: Braga lost their third successive away match in the Portuguese Superliga at the weekend, although there were mitigating circumstances in that it was at leaders Porto. Despite the reverse they remain fourth in the table and last lost at home in late October.
European record: This is the third successive season they have been in the Uefa Cup, but the first time they have progressed in that time having lost to Hearts in 2004 and Red Star Belgrade in 2005. Braga, who last reached this stage nine years ago when going down to eventual champions Schalke 04, have a terrible record against English opponents having lost both legs to West Bromwich Albion in 1978/79 and Tottenham in 1984/85.
How did they get here? Came fourth in Superliga for the second successive season so hey presto, here they are. They beat Italian side Chievo 3-2 on aggregate to reach the group stage where they finished third behind AZ and Sevilla, having lost to both on the road. They won their first away game in the last round at Parma to secure their progression after a 1-0 win in Braga had maintained their 100% home record, where they are yet to concede a goal.
Ones to watch: Braga have shared the goals around in this campaign with Brazilian Wender the only man to have scored more than once in the club's haul of 11 in the tournament, with two. There is a south American flavour to Braga with Wender joined by a host of compatriots, plus Argentine midfielder Andres Madrid and Peruvian defender Rodriguez. Brazilian duo Ze Carlos and Diego could prove match-winners, former Portuguses legend Joao Pinto will add experience while their defence boasts the best home record in the competition.
Did you know? Never mind Arsenal, like Charlton they have gone through three managers so far. First up was highly-rated Carlos Carvalhal, who quit for "personal reasons" claiming he was at a "dead end" after six months in the job only to take over at struggling Beira Mar 48 hours later. That was November and the club were eighth. Cue the arrival of Rogerio Goncalves, who lasted until February before leaving by mutual consent with the club fifth in the table and halfway through their tie against Parma. Up stepped his assistant Jorge Costa who has won two and lost one of his three games in charge. Recognise the name? He won the Champions League with Porto and also turned out for Charlton in a back four that read Young-Fish-Costa-Fortune.
