For those who judge a great football game by the number of goals, Sporting de Braga-Famalicão this Monday was a great game. There were six goals, three for each side, and excitement until, literally, the end. But for those who analyze football as a game of balance, compensation, defensive security and offensive efficiency, the fight between the two Minho teams means a huge headache.
In the case of Sp. Braga, who came to this game after two games without a win, a president criticizing the attitude of the players and a very negative environment around the team, the game with Famalicão leaves a feeling that is more bitter than sweet. It is true that Braga was able to recover from 2-0 and 3-1. It is true that they took more than enough moves to gain an advantage on the scoreboard and, after that, they managed to change the result.
But it is no less true that Sp. Braga is an unbalanced team at the moment, which “breaks down” quickly on the pitch and with an extremely permeable defence.
On Famalicão’s side, Hugo Oliveira’s debut as Armando Evangelista’s successor as coach could (and should) have been much more profitable. This is because, after twice reaching a two-goal lead, they were unable to hold on to it, despite the defensive reinforcement brought on by their coach in the final minutes of the game. And it was very close that the Famalicenses did not leave the “quarry” winning, which would have been terrible for a team that at 55′ was winning 2-0 and 70′, 3-1.
For a disdainful audience, however, Braga’s game was spectacular. Fast football, many dangerous shots close to both goals, a few cards, beautiful defenses and beautiful goals.
In the first half, Sp. Braga wasted. Or rather, Zlobin prevented the “arsenalistas” from scoring with some great saves. After the waste, the “penalty”, which came after a free kick and an own goal by El Ouazzani seconds before the break.
Carlos Carvalhal switched center forward for the second half and asked his team to take a little more risk, but a feline counter-attack from Famalicão made it 2-0.
Sp. Braga needed Ricardo Horta to step onto the pitch to lift his head and the Portugal international, in his 400th I Liga game, made it 2-1 shortly after coming on, giving the team hope .
The game then went into a “crazy” rhythm. Gil Dias scored a superb goal to make it 3-1, but Paulo Oliveira and, again, Horta gave hope to the Braga fans, who also saw Mihaj make a cut over the goal line in stoppage time.