What to expect from Braga, weaknesses Celtic can exploit | OneFootball

Celtic’s Europa League campaign continues on Thursday (remember the 17.45 kick off folks) with the visit of Sporting Braga to Celtic Park…

This is a fixture with a fair bit of intrigue attached, not only because of the on-field clash of styles but also because of the off-field backdrop that threatens to shape the night as much as the football itself.

Braga arrive at Celtic Park in an odd position. Their European form has been encouraging, but the domestic campaign has been pretty inconsistent. Our opponents opened their Europa League group with a well-earned 1–0 victory over Feyenoord, yet in the Primeira Liga their record tells a different story.

A narrow defeat to Nacional at the weekend was met with audible and visible frustration from their supporters, as Conor Spence reported on The Celtic Star Under-fire Braga boss given white handkerchiefs treatment earlier today. And it leaves them adrift of the top places, sitting in mid-table when expectations amongst the fanbase are far higher.

This contrast in fortunes has inevitably increased the scrutiny on Carlos Vicens. Appointed in May, the Spaniard was seen as a bold, modernising choice, someone with a clear tactical framework honed during his coaching education as a Pep Guardiola assistant at Manchester City, and as Head Coach of Heracles in the Netherlands.

Braga arrive in Glasgow as a side whose season has already taken on two very different shapes. It shouldn’t be forgotten that they opened the campaign with real momentum, piecing together a ten-match unbeaten run that included progress through three rounds of Europa League qualifiers and a healthy points return from their early league fixtures. That bright start has since faded a wee bit, with defeats to the likes of Gil Vicente and a run of just one win in their last five outings hinting at some fragility beneath the surface.

Carlos Vicens head coach of Sporting Braga during the UEFA Europe League League phase, Matchday 1, between Sporting Club de Braga and Feyenoord at Stadium Municipal of Braga on 24 September, 2025 in Braga Portugal Photo by Luis de la Mata / SportPix/Sipa/ USA

As such the patience of supporters has understandably thinned quickly. The sight of white handkerchiefs waved in the stands after the loss to Nacional was a symbol of supporter discontent. Vicens remains in post, and the Braga board have not publicly shifted their stance, but there is little question that Thursday night represents a significant test of his authority and his ability to keep the dressing room focused.

Braga’s football this season has been defined by flexibility in shape and approach. Vicens has alternated between a 4-3-3 and a 3-4-3, often within the same match, trying to balance a desire for controlled possession with the need to protect a defence that has looked vulnerable when exposed in transition.

Braga’s wide players are central to their attacking plan. When they play with a back three, wing-backs are pushed high and tasked with stretching the pitch, while the forwards look to exploit the half-spaces. In a four-man defence the emphasis shifts slightly, with Ricardo Horta tucking in from the left to act as a secondary playmaker, while the central striker, whether Fran Navarro or Amine El Ouazzani, leads the line.

Horta remains Braga’s talisman. His creativity, eye for goal, and knack for producing decisive moments arguably makes him the most dangerous figure in their side. Alongside him, Rodrigo Zalazar has is a key influence in midfield. The Uruguayan international offers energy, drive, and late arrivals into the box. Containing him will be a priority for Celtic.

Elsewhere, Navarro’s winner against Feyenoord underlined his ability to seek out chances, while the defence leans heavily on the physical presence of Sikou Niakaté and of course Gustaf Lagerbielke, whose Celtic Park return adds an interesting sub-plot to the tie.

Gustaf Lagerbielke of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at Feyenoord Stadion de Kuip on September 19, 2023.Photo VI ANP Sport Jeroen Putmans

However, for all the talent in their ranks, Braga’s league struggles point to flaws that Celtic will be keen to exploit. The wide areas have often been left quite open when wing-backs surge forward, and opponents have found joy by breaking quickly into those channels. Their midfield, while technically sound, can, much like Celtic in fact, be pressed into errors, particularly if Zalazar is denied time to dictate tempo.

And perhaps most tellingly, there is a fragility about their collective confidence. A poor run of domestic results has perhaps heightened nerves, though it has been somewhat overstated, and Celtic could look to pounce on that uncertainty, assuming we can get over our own that is.

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Head coach Brendan Rodgers of Celtic and Benjamin Nygren of Celtic Celtic Training Session and press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 23 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic/Shutterstock

For Brendan Rodgers, the formation, 4-3-3, and the core principles will likely remain the same, quick ball circulation and aggressive pressing high up the pitch. There will however have to be an increased emphasis on width, as playing too narrowly, as we have at times this season, will negate the advantage Celtic could have over a weak part of Braga’s team. This could very much prove decisive.

By pushing the full-backs forward and pinning Braga’s wide players deep, Celtic can prevent the visitors from turning their wing play into a strength. If the wingers are isolated and forced backwards, Braga’s system risks becoming a flat back five with little outlet.

Callum McGregor theRangers v Celtic,31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

In midfield, Celtic’s intensity will be vital. Callum McGregor’s ability to read danger and recycle possession quickly can set the tone, while the two advanced midfielders could press onto Braga’s pivots and deny them clean distribution. Rodgers will hopefully encourage Celtic to press aggressively in the opening phases, aiming to force Braga into mistakes and to generate some early momentum. From set-pieces too, Celtic may sense an opportunity. Braga’s centre-halves are strong in the air, but their organisation has been suspect on second balls, Celtic could look to take advantage of that.

The backdrop to all this, of course, is the ongoing protest from the Celtic support. What began with a twelve-minute silence against Hibs on Saturday, is set to escalate into a 29 minute demonstration on Thursday, and unless the deadlock between the Celtic Fans Collective and the board is broken, the team will enter the most important match of their early European campaign in a stadium stripped of its full voice.

There is a certain worry here. For years, visiting sides have spoken of the noise and energy of Celtic Park on European nights. This week, for the best part of half an hour, Braga may well be spared that ordeal.

The implications are worth considering. Braga, already fragile domestically, might otherwise have buckled under the sheer intensity of an intimidating Celtic Park. In relative quiet, they may feel more at ease, able to settle into their rhythm.

For Celtic’s players, the silence is also likely to present a psychological hurdle. Brendan Rodgers has already acknowledged the importance of the crowd, urging supporters to back the team regardless of the dispute. But if the protest goes ahead as planned, the squad will need to summon their own intensity from within, unassisted by the usual Celtic Park atmosphere on a big European night.

Your Silence is Deafening banner in the North Curve. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock

The risk for Celtic is that the silence emboldens Braga, giving them a foothold in the match. The opportunity, however, is that once the protest ends, the noise could be even more explosive, if a delayed surge of energy coincides with the game’s most decisive phases. If Celtic can weather the early spell and perhaps land the first blow, they could ride that post-protest roar, but there is no doubt it could aid Braga.

Ultimately, Thursday is a contest of competing narratives. Braga arrive in Glasgow with a manager under scrutiny, a squad that has tasted victory in Europe but frustration at home, and a style of play that can both threaten and expose them. Celtic, by contrast, are navigating the unusual challenge of a support in open conflict with the club’s leadership and must prove that they can perform without their 12th man for a third of the match, a big ask for sure.

Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic.Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

On the pitch, the key battles will be in wide areas, in the pressing of Braga’s midfield, and in the conversion of set-piece opportunities. Off it, the silent stands are the big unknown. For Rodgers and his players, the task is simple in theory but demanding in practice, impose themselves quickly, disrupt Braga’s fragile confidence, and find a way to turn a fractured atmosphere into fuel rather than a handicap.

Do that, and Celtic’s European journey will continue with momentum intact. Fail, and Braga’s visit could add another layer of discomfort to a club already wrestling with division.

The outcome will perhaps hinge not just on tactics and talent, but on who adapts better to the most unusual of circumstances.

Niall J

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Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

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Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

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Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.

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