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Zorya may not have the best chance of scoring points in the Europa League group. Therefore, if the people of Lugansk still hope to enter the European Cup spring for the first time in history, it is necessary to perform a small feat and beat Braga. A tough opponent, but definitely not invincible. Furthermore, the “whites-blacks” already have experience of victories in the tournament – in 2017 they managed to beat Athletic Bilbao in their field – 1: 0, and then “Hertha” Berlin in the “Lviv-Arena” – 2: 1. It is time to get the third victory.
European League. Group G. Second round
Stadium: Slavutich-Arena (Zaporozhye)
Chief Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili (Georgia)
Zarya 19:55 Braga
TV broadcast on Football 1 channel
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What is Braga and in what form is Carlos Carvalhall’s team now? In the Portuguese championship, the “armeros” played five games in which they won three and lost two. Last weekend, “Braga” with great difficulty, but beat “Guimaraes” 1: 0, there was a combat showdown at a party, and the referee showed three red cards, two of them to the guests.
There can be no complaints about the shape of Braga. Si Carvalyala started the season with two losses – Porto 1: 3 and Santa Clara 0: 1, but then won four games in a row. A week ago in the Europa League AEK could not do anything with the “gunsmiths” – 0: 3.
It should be noted that Braga is the most experienced team in European Group G competition. Since 2005, they have played almost non-stop in the Champions League or Europa League, having conceded only one season, 2014/15. For comparison, “Zorya” played in the Champions Cup in 1973. And in the new history, since 2014, he began to participate in European competitions with quite variable success, as it is known to the people of Lugansk, this is just the third entry in the LE group.
Zorya played seven games in the new season, in which he achieved two wins, drew three and lost two games. Fresh in the memory of the defeat of “Leicester” last Thursday 0-3. But then Skripnik’s charges were partially rehabbed at UPL, having dealt with Rukh 4: 0.
The main problem of the modern “Zorya” is a short bench (especially for participation in European competitions), as a consequence of the lack of stability and results. Sometimes there is not enough strength and margin of safety. At the same time, the duel with “Rukh” seems like an exception, when in the end the Luhansk team managed to add and take the matter to defeat. I would like to believe that not all “white-blacks” shot on Sunday and were still in love with “Braga”.
STATISTICS
Not long ago, these teams met. In 2018, Zorya and Braga met in the Europa League third qualifying round. The first game in Zaporozhye ended in a 1: 1 draw (Karavaev scored a goal for Lugansk). And in the return match in the opponent’s court again a draw, but more acceptable to the guests: 2: 2 (Rafael and Karavaev scored goals from Lugansk). Vernidub’s team then went on to Portuguese and ended up in the UEL playoffs, where they were stopped by RB Leipzig – 0: 0 and 2: 3.
REFERENCE COMPOSITION
Skripnik’s main defeat before the game at Slavutich-Arena is Artem Gromov, the striker cannot recover from his injury. Also, Grechkin and Kazakov will not play, Makharadze’s participation is questionable. Rui Fonte will definitely not play for the guests.
Zarya: Shevchenko – Favorov, Vernidub, Tsvek, Khomchenovsky – Ivanisenya – Yurchenko, Kochergin – Nazarina – Lunev, Kabaev.
Braga: Mateus – Sequeira, Viana, Karma, Escaia – Castro, Horta – Medeiros, Galeno – Francergio, Paulinho.
FORECAST
The hosts are not approaching the game as favorites, Braga has a better chance of success, but the guests have a relative advantage, only through experience. Most likely, “Zarya” needs time to take a closer look at the opponent. But the Lugansk people are quite capable of scoring, the defense of the “gunsmiths” is not without sin. Also, Skripnik’s team needs to score twice, and if successful, Zorya will win. Prediction: home win 2: 1.
