Braga 2-1 Freiburg - Warriors take the advantage in the Europa League semi-finals | OneFootball

Braga got on top early at the Quarry, Pau Victor latching onto Rodrigo Zalazar’s pass and firing wide. The Warriors took the lead in the 8th minute.

Jordy Makengo cleared Zalazar’s deep cross straight to Víctor Gómez who sent the ball back into the box, Demir Ege Tiknaz reacting first and steering it into the bottom corner.

Freiburg got into the game, their first chance falling for Johan Manzambi who missed the top corner. The German side took advantage of a defensive blunder to equalise in the 16th minute.

Paulo Oliveira collided into Gustaf Lagerbielke and Vitor Carvalho was too slow to react, Igor Matanovic getting to the ball first and sending Jan-Niklas Beste clear. The winger burst into the box and squared to an unmarked Vincenzo Grifo who slotted the ball past Lukas Hornicek.

Ricardo Horta picked up an injury and briefly remained on the pitch before being replaced by Mario Dorgeles. Braga overcame the loss of their captain and got back on top.

A free flowing move ended in Dorgeles missing the target before João Moutinho’s grass cutter was collected by Noah Atubolu. The hosts persisted and were awarded a penalty in added time.

It came from a corner, Philipp Lienhart wrestling Gustaf Lagerbielke to the ground which resulted in the VAR summoning referee Anthony Taylor to the touchline. He eventually pointed to the spot where Zalazar stepped up and was denied by Noah Atubolu who made a great save.

Zalazar was heavily involved at the start of the second half, Freiburg threatening down the left wing through Jordy Makengo and Johan Manzambi. Matanovic headed a corner wide and Max Eggestein tested Hornicek.

Zalazar ran out of gas and made way for Fran Navarro. Julian Schuster went to his bench for the first time in the 81st minute, bringing on Derry Scherhant and Lucas Holer for Yuito Suzuki and Vincenzo Grifo.

The contest swing back into Braga’s favour and they took advantage in added time.

João Moutinho’s pass over the top released Gómez, his cross picking out Carvalho who shot straight at Atubolu. The goalkeeper didn’t do enough to clear the danger, the ball sitting up perfectly for Dorgeles who pounced and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

Huge win

Braga got off to a fast start at the Quarry before bad luck threatened to ruin their evening. Freiburg were gifted the equaliser before Ricardo Horta went off injured and Rodrigo Zalazar’s penalty was saved.

The second half was a war of attrition until a moment of magic from João Moutinho who instigated a dramatic winner.

The Warriors travel to the Black Forest with a narrow advantage that could prove crucial as they attempt to reach their second Europa League final.

Carlos Vicens will be desperate to get some reinforcements back following Horta’s injury. Bright Arrey-Mbi, Florian Grillitsch and Gabri Martínez could return for the crucial clash.

(Photos: Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)

Reaction

Vicens spoke after the victory: "The support from the fans was noticeable, they were motivated. The entire second half of this tie is still to come, 90 minutes of football in Germany next week. Freiburg will want to turn this around, and we have to be prepared.

"We have to keep fighting to prevail, to impose our game, and try to play a great match to reach the final. The advantage we have is minimal, but the team wants to be in the final and fought to be in the final.

"They fought against adversity, conceding a goal which was bad luck, Horta's injury, missing a penalty. There are many aspects that were important, especially the team having an exceptional mentality, facing the game, the adversities, without ever ceasing to believe and to persevere. We were a team, it all came down to that, for the performance we delivered. These are players who never stop persevering, who never stop fighting for victory."

Lineups

Braga (3-5-2) Lukas Hornicek; Gustaf Lagerbielke, Paulo Oliveira, Vitor Carvalho; Víctor Gómez, Demir Ege Tiknaz, João Moutinho, Gorby Baptiste, Rodrigo Zalazar (Fran Navarro 72’); Ricardo Horta (Mario Dorgeles 26’), Pau Victor

Unused substitutes: Tiago Sá, Alaa Bellaarouch, Jónatas Noro, Leonardo Lelo, Afonso Sousa, Yanis da Rocha, Luisinho, Rodrigo Silva, João Vasconcelos, Amine El Ouazzani

Coach: Carlos Vicens

Freiburg (4-2-3-1) Noah Atubolu; Philipp Treu, Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart, Jordy Makengo; Max Eggestein, Johan Manzambi; Jan-Niklas Beste, Yuito Suzuki (Lucas Holer 81’), Vincenzo Grifo (Derry Scherhant 81’); Igor Matanovic

Unused substitutes: Florian Muller, Jannik Huth, Lukas Kubler , Anthony Jung, Christian Günter, Bruno Ogbus, Nicolas Hofler, Rouven Tarnutzer, Cyriaque Irié, Maximilian Philipp