Teh Europa League is currently in the middle of the opening phase. With four games played adn more to come, everything is still to be decided, despite some teams being able to reach the next stage, either directly or through the play-offs.
In this context, it does not seem to be the most favorable situation for the two Portuguese teams in the competition. FC Porto and SC Braga have not had the best starts in the competition, both with four points. The second half of the league series is expected to give Porto and Braga the opportunity to move up the table to positions befitting their history and reputation in this competition.
Status point
With four rounds played, only the Italians of Lazio were leading the table with 12 points, consequently of four victories in as many games. The transalpine team is followed by a group of five teams, each with ten points: Ajax, Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt, Anderlecht and Athletic Bilbao, while Tottenham and Steaua Bucharest complete the group of the best eight, both with nine points.
To find the Portuguese teams we have to go down a bit in the rankings. Actually, FC Porto is currently in 22nd place, with four points, while SC Braga is 26th, with the same four points, but with a record of goals scored and conceded that puts it outside the ‘playoff’ zone.
Bracarenses and Dragons are part of a group of five teams, each with four points, which also includes Slavia de Praga, Elfsborg and Real sociedad.
FC Porto
The Dragons started their Europa League journey with a surprise win in Norway against Bodo/Glimt 3-2. The Portuguese side started well with Samu’s goal after eight minutes, but they allowed the Vikings to turn the result around, thanks to goals from Kasper Hogh and Jens Hauge, twice.
In the next round, FC Porto hosted Manchester united at Dragão. The game did not start well, conceding to goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund in the first twenty minutes. However, the black and white team responded and tied during the first half, thanks to goals from Pepê and Samu.
In the second half, the Spanish striker put Porto in front of the scoreboard; However, with an extra man on the pitch, FC Porto allowed the ’red devils’ to equalize through Maguire, in stoppage time.
The first victory reached the third round. Again at home, Vítor Bruno’s men had a quieter game, winning 2-0, thanks to goals from Tiago Djaló and Samu.
In the fourth round, the dragons visited Lazio in Rome. In a very tight game, the Italians gave Romagnoli the lead at the break. In the second half Eustaquio restored equality, but very close to the end, pedro Rodriguez gave Laziale the win.
In the remaining four rounds, FC porto play away to Anderlecht and Maccabi Tel Aviv, hosting Midtjylland and olympiakos.
SC Braga
Sporting de Braga kicked off the Europa League with a hard-earned win against Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv. After Davida put the away team in front, we had to wait until the final minutes to see the Braga team turn the result around.
In the 88th minute Bruma scored the equaliser, and, when nothing else was predicted, the warriors scored the winning goal, again through the Portuguese winger, who converted a penalty in the 95th minute to give Minho’s team three valuable points .
The ‘heroes’ went from heaven to hell in a short space of time, however, because, in the second round, they lost heavily against Olympiakos with 3-0.
In Greece, Carlos Carvalhal’s men were unrecognizable, losing thanks to goals from Santiago Hezze and Ayoub Kaabi, the latter twice.
And when a reaction was expected in the next round, SC Braga fell again, this time at the feet of Bodo/Glimt, who had already beaten FC Porto.
At the quarry, the arsenalists found themselves at a disadvantage in the 53rd minute with Hakon Evjen’s goal. Though, the team knew how to react and equalized through Niakaté in the 64th minute However, the French central defender went from hero to villain as, within two minutes, he received two yellow cards, in the end sent off.
Even with ten men,SC Braga had chances to score,but it ended up being iced in the last game of the game,thanks to a well-directed header from Villads Nielsen,which gave the nordic team the win.
After Norway, it was Braga’s turn to face the Swedish team in the fourth round. Against Elfsborg, and in very cold weather and thick fog, the Portuguese team came away with one goal.
Carlos Carvalhal’s men took the lead thanks to an own goal from timothy Ouma in the 67th minute, but the Vikings equalized through Emil Holten six minutes from time.
Until the end of the league stage, SC Braga will host Hoffenheim and Italians Lazio, while they also travel to AS Roma and Belgian Union Saint-Gilloise strongholds.
What are the key factors influencing team performance in the Europa League this season?
Interview between Time.news editor and Football Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with football expert João Ferreira, who will help us make sense of the current state of the Europa League. João,thank you for joining us.
João: thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: So, we’re in the middle of the Europa League’s opening phase, and it seems there’s a lot still to play for, especially for teams like FC porto and SC Braga. What’s your take on their performance so far?
João: Well, it’s been a challenging start for both Porto and Braga. With only four points in four matches,they find themselves in a precarious situation. Given their historical success in this competition, it’s surprising to see them struggle so early on.
Editor: Absolutely. And currently, they are sitting pretty low in the rankings—Porto at 22nd and Braga at 26th. What do you think they need to do to improve their standing as the tournament progresses?
joão: Both teams need to tighten their defense and start converting their chances into goals. Right now, their goal differences are concerning. If they can work on their attacking strategies and defense,there’s still a chance they coudl push for a playoff spot.
Editor: That’s an engaging point. Meanwhile, Lazio seems to be dominating the group with a perfect record. What do you attribute their success to this season?
João: Lazio has been notable, no doubt. Their solid team chemistry and tactical discipline have played a significant role. They’ve managed to maintain consistency and capitalize on their chances effectively. They’re playing with confidence, which is crucial in a tournament like this.
Editor: So, if you were coaching Porto or Braga, what would your immediate focus be ahead of their next matches?
joão: Frist and foremost, I would emphasize building a stronger cohesive unit on the field. I’d focus on enhancing their game strategy, perhaps experimenting with different formations to find the one that best suits their players’ strengths. additionally, psychological resilience will be essential, especially after a rocky start.
Editor: psychological factors can be overlooked sometimes. With the league still wide open, how critical do you think the upcoming fixtures are for both teams?
João: They are incredibly critical. Every match from here on out is almost a must-win for Porto and Braga if they wish to have any chance of progressing. The half-season can be a real turning point—they need to capitalize on the next few games to regain momentum and confidence.
Editor: Looking around the competition, teams like Ajax, Galatasaray, and Tottenham are also performing well. Do you see any dark horses that could shake things up as the tournament progresses?
João: Definitely! There are always a couple of surprises in tournaments like this. Teams like Eintracht Frankfurt and Anderlecht have shown they can spring surprises against the big guns. Their ability to adapt and surprise opponents makes them exciting to watch.
Editor: It sounds like the second half of the league series will be quite thrilling. Any final thoughts for our readers about following the remainder of the Europa league?
João: Keep an eye out for the evolving narratives, especially with teams that are currently underperforming. There’s a lot of unpredictability in football, and it’s interesting to see how teams respond to the pressure as they fight for their places in the knockout stages. It’s going to be a thrilling few weeks!
Editor: Thank you, João. It’s been insightful to hear your perspective. we look forward to seeing how the tournament unfolds!
João: Thank you! I’m excited to see the next matches as well.
Editor: Stay tuned, everyone! This Europa League is shaping up to be one of the more engaging seasons in recent memory.