SC Braga (A) 28.11.2019 Build-Up Thread

[PuntsWolf]

The first game was awful. They made no effort to leave their half and we were playing that awful hoof ball which was easy to defend against.

Would have been ok to chalk it up as a bad day and take a point but we gifted them a goal.

I’d say we’d have to be favourites. They aren’t very good. But it won’t be easy. They are going pretty averagely in a poor league but have done alright so far in the EL albeit against a Besiktas team is disarray and the fortunate 3 points against us.

 

[Tony Towner]

A point will be a reasonable result for both sides so I can see every likelihood of a draw.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I think we will score early and win fairly comfortably.

The Besiktas v Slovan game is going to be of interest.

 

[PuntsWolf]

A draw isn’t a good result for us. Pretty much guarantees 2nd place and potentially a shit draw. We’ve already qualified Slovan Won’t win both games, doubt they’ll win either unless Braga play reserves and we won’t lose to a Besiktas team already eliminated on a cold night after a long travel.

 

[Tony Towner]

I'm just guessing, but I think Nuno is more of a get through and not worry about the draw kinda guy.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

By the same token I can't think of a single game under Nuno where we've quite obviously played for a draw.

 

[sycophantia]

The first game was awful. They made no effort to leave their half and we were playing that awful hoof ball which was easy to defend against.

Would have been ok to chalk it up as a bad day and take a point but we gifted them a goal.

I’d say we’d have to be favourites. They aren’t very good. But it won’t be easy. They are going pretty averagely in a poor league but have done alright so far in the EL albeit against a Besiktas team is disarray and the fortunate 3 points against us.

Tbh, I quite enjoyed that game (not the result), thought it was the start of us trying to get back to something like our play of last season. Unfortunately one of our trademark defensive fuckups of that period plus some woeful finishing let us down

 

[Tony Towner]

By the same token I can't think of a single game under Nuno where we've quite obviously played for a draw.

I'm not suggesting Austria V West Germany 1982 and I'm not suggesting that we won't try to win, just that a draw would be ok for both teams and when that is the case it often ends that way.

 

[Murphy]

I'm not suggesting Austria V Germany 1982 and I'm not suggesting that we won't try to win, just that a draw would be ok for both teams and when that is the case it often ends that way.

A nice little kickaround and a point with a few days in Portugal would suit me fine.

 

[Monstrum]

Id rather risk attacking from the get go and lose than hold back for the draw. A point doesnt really affect us, a win pretty much guarantees we win the group, which will be a huge difference for next round.

 

[Pablowolf]

By the same token I can't think of a single game under Nuno where we've quite obviously played for a draw.

Leeds Utd home and away, but they were so shit that we couldn't help but win 4-1 and 3-0.

 

[Murphy]

Id rather risk attacking from the get go and lose than hold back for the draw. A point doesnt really affect us, a win pretty much guarantees we win the group, which will be a huge difference for next round.

As long as we get through I don't care where we finish in the group. The draw will be what the draw will be. To get to the final you have to play who you get, and the last 16 is an open draw anyway.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

You run a huge risk of not making that last 16 open draw.

Have a gander of the two pot split I put up in the Europa League thread. I would back us to beat every team in Pot 2. Pot 1 in a minefield.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Exactly. Win the group and get a winnable game. Then get a bit of luck in the 16 and you’ve got a great shot of reaching the last 8.

Or finish second, get unlucky and draw Sevilla and you might not get the chance to be lucky in the next round

 

[Murphy]

You run a huge risk of not making that last 16 open draw.

Have a gander of the two pot split I put up in the Europa League thread. I would back us to beat every team in Pot 2. Pot 1 in a minefield.

Your two pot split might not even be the way it pans out. 2 games to go, what will be will be. For example we may as well have played City in the semi last season, guess what, we might have beat them. All hypothetical bullshit.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

you know me

If your names on the cup!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

If you think Pot 1 will contain easier teams you are deluded.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

If you think Pot 1 will contain easier teams you are deluded.

there will be no such thing as "easier teams" in europe if we qualify. We have shown over the last two years we are capable of beating the best teams and losing to the worst!
You can only beat who is put in front of you. Last years cup semi final epitomised that!

 

[Murphy]

there will be no such thing as "easier teams" in europe if we qualify. We have shown over the last two years we are capable of beating the best teams and losing to the worst!
You can only beat who is put in front of you. Last years cup semi final epitomised that!

Spot on.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I get that, and yes the most important thing is to qualify, but the split of the teams dropping out of the Champions League is pretty much done (3-6th seeds may well change but bar that it looks clear cut) . Seeds 1 and 2 are going to be two of Chelsea Ajax Valencia Inter and Dortmund. Plus Sevilla are guaranteed to be in pot 1. Those are all daunting prospects that we would really rather avoid (even though we can’t draw Chelsea). The point is important to get there but three would hugely enhance our prospects of the adventure continuing beyond the last 32.