2023-11-02 00:17:17
Cold night in Minho and SC Braga and Casa Pia didn’t do much to warm us up. You Gverreiros do Minho They started their Allianz Cup campaign with a draw (1-1) in a duel where, without dazzling, they were still superior to their opponent, but ruined their advantage with an individual error.
The stands at Braga Municipal Stadium were mostly bare for Arsenal’s debut in the competition and the truth is that the first 45 minutes played in favor of those who exchanged the cold plastic chair on the stand for the comfort of the sofa. In the first minutes, while the teams were still “getting to know each other” on the pitch, Casa Pia was able to launch some quick exits, but without much effect. Little by little, the visitors returned almost entirely to the defensive process.
On the other side, SC Braga tried to take the ball early on. João Moutinho and André Horta formed a pair in the central zone and were responsible for connecting the game to the final third, and they often did so through the corridors as a way of getting around a center heavily populated by opposing players.
Adrián Marín and Joe Mendes, the full-backs, were in great demand in advanced areas, but there was a constant lack of success when crossing. In the first half, there was only one mid-range shot from André Horta, which forced Lucas Paes to deflect over the crossbar.
Error took advantage that was hard to gain
The gray first half, with little rhythm, gave way to a much better start from SC Braga in the second half. The home team became more enlightened in the last third and the danger began to surround the team’s goal. geese more frequently.
In the best moment of the match, SC Braga saw the video referee (VAR) cancel a first goal by João Moutinho, but shortly afterwards Pizzi appeared from close range to make it 1-0, with a cross from Ricardo Horta. The goal brought justice to the scoreboard due to Minho’s good performance in the second half, but SC Braga dropped its intensity again after that.
The match still seemed under control. Casa Pia continued to have difficulty even setting foot on land close to Lukas Hornicek’s goal, let alone bothering the Czech goalkeeper. However, a mistake arrived to change everything: Paulo Oliveira brought down Clayton inside the penalty area and the striker converted the penalty to equalize.
The last quarter of an hour brought the final “assault” of the home team in search of the three points. Rony Lopes failed to get past Lucas Paes on his first attempt and headed into the touchline shortly afterwards, before André Horta hit the ball against the crossbar with a shot from outside the area.
Casa Pia leaves Braga with one point under its belt and at the top of Group A, with four points. The Braga team will close the group with a match against Nacional and with the possibility of qualifying still open.
#Cold #gray #night #zerozero.pt