Braga 0-0 Rangers (agg, 2-3), LIVE: Latest updates as Steven Gerrard’s side aim to avoid defeat and book place in the Europa League last-16
- Braga starting XI : Matheus Magalhaes, Bruno Viana, Carmo, Raul Silva, Ricardo Esgaio, Trincao, Fransergio, Joao Palhinha, Nuno Sequeira, Ricardo Horta, Paulinho
- Braga subs: Vitor Tormena, Ruiz, Tiago Sa, Andre Horta, Joao Novais, Rui Fonte, Galeno
- Rangers starting XI: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic, Arfield, Davis, Jack, Hagi, Kamberi, Kent
- Rangers subs: Ojo, Foderingham, Halliday, Aribo, Kamara, Katic, Stewart.
- Rangers travel to Braga for the second leg of their Europa League round-of-32 tie
- Steven Gerrard’s side came back from 2-0 down at Ibrox to earn 3-2 advantage
- The Europa League tie from Estadio Municipal de Braga kicks off from 8pm GMT
Host commentator
30min: But we have now seen Braga’s best opportunity to score. Nuno Sequeira is again the danger man in delivering a cross from the left before the ball bounces off Fransergio’s head and just wide of the top corner.
It certainly didn’t look intentional, hence why I couldn’t say he just headed the ball, but that’s a warning for Rangers who are now looking exposed on their right side.
29min: Curious half-hour or so in Portugal. Braga for the most part have dominated possession yet it’s Rangers who have had the two best chances of the game so far.
26min: Allan McGregor called into action. Nuno Sequeira’s cross from the left finds Paulinho in the centre, and his header towards goal is well tipped over by the Rangers keeper.
23min: The encouraging signs for Rangers are that Braga are showing no sign of plugging those gaps at the back. Hagi is through on goal again but this time he is short of pace against Bruno Viana who races back well to force the forward into firing well wide
20min: This wasn’t so good from Hagi. He has Braga in all sorts of panic at the back in these early stages as he wins a free-kick but his 23-yard strike is well over the bar. I hope for their sake they don’t come to regret these missed chances.
18min: And I thought Kamberi’s miss was bad! Ryan Kent has just missed a sitter. Ianis Hagi wins the ball on the right by showing superb strength before leaping a challenge from another defender.
He then squares for Kent eight yards out who somehow scuffs his shot wide. It deserved a goal just for the work, effort and skill Hagi put in there.
15min: This has been an encouraging opening from Rangers. Ryan Kent plays a terrific cross from the left to Kamberi just inside the box, but the forward was always struggling to control the ball and it soon goes away from him as the chance passes.
12min: It’s been a good start to this game, which is being played in the relatively warm winter temperatures of 12 degrees Celsius. Braga still dominating possession and while they have been keen to attack the Rangers left flank they are not finding too much success down it right now.
9min: Speaking of which, what a chance for Rangers! Scott Arfield breaks through the middle and overlapping on the left for an overload is the unmarked Flo Kamberi.
After laying the ball off to Kamberi though, the forward’s shot is straight at Matheus who parries clear. He really should have scored that – but at the very least it is a warning to Braga not to over commit.
6min: Not too sure if Rangers have got out of their own half yet. Braga knocking the ball around with confidence but the Gers don’t look too flustered at the back. An intent to counter attack would help keep Braga at bay.
3min: Remember Rangers only need to avoid defeat tonight to progress but that also means Braga have to win and they have started with the urgency you would expect them too as they take the game to Steven Gerrard’s side. No chances yet though.
Here is a reminder of the line-ups and formations ahead of kick-off:
Braga: Matheus Magalhaes, Bruno Viana, Carmo, Raul Silva, Ricardo Esgaio, Trincao, Fransergio, Joao Palhinha, Nuno Sequeira, Ricardo Horta, Paulinho.
Subs: Vitor Tormena, Ruiz, Tiago Sa, Andre Horta, Joao Novais, Rui Fonte, Galeno.
Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic, Arfield, Davis, Jack, Hagi, Kamberi, Kent.
Subs: Ojo, Foderingham, Halliday, Aribo, Kamara, Katic, Stewart.
Referee: Andreas Ekberg (Sweden)
Because how many grounds do you see carved out of a hole in a mountain? Still a favourite of mine from Euro 2004.
A reminder of how Rangers built their first leg advantage…
As a neutral I wouldn’t mind another five-goal thriller, especially if it serves up the same drama we saw at Ibrox. Rangers looked down and out at 2-0 before staging an incredible late comeback.
Following a 2-2 draw at St Johnstone at the weekend, Steven Gerrard makes four changes to his side hoping to avoid defeat in Braga.
In come Flo Kamberi, who makes his first start since joining on loan from Hibernian in January, along with George Edmundson, Borna Barisic and Steven Davis.
Making way are Nikola Katic, Andy Halliday, Joe Aribo and the suspended Alfredo Morelos.
That’s right! Just the single fixture this evening from the Europa League but it’s a big one as Rangers look to secure a spot in the last-16 at Braga.
Good evening all and welcome to our live coverage of all the action as it happens – team news coming next!
Rangers will be looking to reach the Europa League last-16 for the first time in nine years when they visit Braga for the second leg of their round-of-32 clash.
After going 2-0 down at Ibrox, an incredible second half comeback including two Ianis Hagi goals helped the Scottish side build a first leg advantage ahead of their visit to Portugal.
Follow all the build-up, team news and all the action as it happens from the Estadio Municipal de Braga with kick-off getting underway from 5pm.
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article