SC Braga vs Celtic – Match Preview

28 Jul, 2010 guest Europe, UEFA Champions League

The general feeling was that Celtic had been handed the least worst draw when they were paired against SC Braga in the Champions League third qualifying round, and although Braga will provide a stern test, Celtic will fancy their chances of progressing, especially if they avoid defeat tonight.

Known as The Arsenalistas due to their red and white strip, Braga have been on an upward slope for a number of years. Until recently, the club seemed destined to remain a mid table side that occasionally flirted with the idea of challenging for a place in Europe. Since 2004 however, they have only once finished outside of the top five and have also made progress in Europe. While this is their first venture into the Champions League, they have twice reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in the last four years.

There are chinks in Braga’s armour however. They were dumped out of the Europa League by Swedish side Elfsborg last year and also lost to Hearts in the 2004 UEFA Cup. They have lost Portuguese goalkeeper Eduardo to Genoa but have added full back Silvio from Rio Ave and Roma’s Brazilian goalkeeper Artur Moraes. Those additions took their summer signings into double figures.

Celtic have also added heavily to their squad as Neil Lennon looks to justify the Celtic board’s decision to hand him the reigns on a permanent basis. The Northern Irishman could field as many as six new faces in tonight’s clash although latest acquisition Gary Hooper is expected to start on the bench. Cha Du Ri, Joe Ledley, Daryl Murphy and Efrain Juarez could all be handed debuts however while Charlie Mulgrew is likely to finally make his competitive debut in a Celtic jersey in his second spell at the club.

The Glasgow side will be confident that they can cause Braga problems going forward with Aiden McGeady set to be called on despite being linked with a move away, while the presence of holding midfielder Juarez will allow Scott Brown and Joe Ledley to push forward. Murphy could be assisted in attack by Georgios Samaras, Marc-Antoine Fortuné or Morten Rasmussen although Lennon may opt for a lone striker which could see Shaun Maloney playing in behind.

It is in defence that Celtic will be most vulnerable. Lukasz Zaluska is a more than able replacement for Artur Boruc, despite Lennon’s attempts to sign another goalkeeper but the back four in front of him will offer Braga hope. Darren O’Dea will be missing through injury which means that Glen Looevens will likely be partnered by Thomas Rogne who has made only four appearances for the club.

Marc Wilson and Du Ri will compete for the right back spot while Mulgrew is likely to start on the opposite side. He will be under pressure to justify his return to the club having failed to make an impact in Glasgow in the early part of his career. Spells at Dundee United, Wolves, Southend and Aberdeen followed but other than being a set piece specialist, it is difficult to see what he will bring to the side. The left back position has been a problem one for the club since Lee Naylor lost his form but questions remain over whether Mulgrew is the man to provide the solution.

There is little doubt that Celtic would be happy with a draw from tonight’s match. Given their impressive home form in the Champions League, they would relish the prospect of knowing that a victory of any kind at Celtic Park would see them through. Tonight’s affair is likely to be cagey, Braga conceded only six goals at home in the league last season but only scored 48 in total, 20 fewer than champions Benfica.

Manager Domingos Paciência will be keen to take an advantage to Glasgow which is likely to be the only way he can guide his side through this tie. Having made his mark on the side during the summer, Neil Lennon will be hoping that he can avoid the fate of Gordon Strachan, who lost his first European match as Celtic boss 5-0 to Artmedia Bratislava.

Martin Domin is a new contributor to Just Football focussing on Scottish football. He is an award-winning freelance journalist, and can be found at TotalFitba.com