"Petrescu yields to Sp. Braga, proclaiming confidence: 'Any team in Europe can be defeated'"
Braga Favoured in Critical Europa League Clash Against Cluj
The second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round will see Dan Petrescu's CFR Cluj take on Sporting de Braga at the Municipal Stadium in Braga. With the first leg ending in a 2-1 victory for Braga, Cluj will need to pull off a strong performance to progress.
Predictions
CFR Cluj will look to implement tactical discipline under Petrescu, who prefers a 4-1-2-2-1 formation. Braga, playing at home, has a physical edge with taller and slightly younger players. However, questions remain about Cluj's defensive solidity and mental resilience following their heavy defeat in the Europa Conference League qualifier. Braga's European form and Petrescu's experience in European ties make for a close contest.
Key Players
For Cluj, Meriton Korenica, Lindon Emerllahu, and Andrei Cordea are key attacking prospects, having scored in recent matches. The team may be without emerging player Drilon Islami, who could be leaving the club without debuting, potentially reducing midfield options. The identity of Braga's key performers is less clear, but manager Carlos Vicens is expected to field a young, robust squad.
Possible Outcomes
A Braga win or a draw with goals would likely see them advance. Cluj must balance aggressive attacking to overturn the aggregate and caution to avoid conceding away goals. The encounter could be tightly contested, possibly decided by a late goal or tactical adjustments by Petrescu focused on defense and quick transitions.
Munteanu's Absence and Captain's Confidence
Cluj will be without their top scorer, Munteanu, for the second leg. The captain, a former player of Naval and Beira-Mar, has expressed confidence in qualifying for the Europa League play-off. He compared Sporting de Braga's playing style to Manchester City, mentioning Carlos Vicens' previous role as Pep Guardiola's assistant. The captain dismissed controversies about his return to Portugal and expects support from his hometown.
Referee and Relegation Concerns
The game will be officiated by German referee Sascha Stegemann. If Braga is eliminated by Cluj, they will be relegated to the Europa Conference League play-off against Swedish Hacken or Norwegian Brann. Mario Camora, a 38-year-old left-back with Portuguese and Romanian nationality, is playing his 15th consecutive season at Cluj and has won six titles with the team.
To have a chance of advancing to the play-off, Cluj must defend well, be compact, and not give away opportunities. The second leg promises to be an exciting and closely contested match.
Cluj might aim to employ defensive tactics to neutralize Braga's home advantage, given Braga's physical edge and the taller, slightly younger players they field in football. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain if Cluj's defense can withstand Braga's offensive capacity, especially with the absence of key attacking players like Meriton Korenica, Lindon Emerllahu, and Andrei Cordea.
