MX23RW : Thursday, November 28 10:15:45| >> :600:94709:94709:
[monks data]
Attendance: 49,378
Rangers logo
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 20, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
Braga

3-2

Hagi (67', 82'), Aribo (75')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Fransergio (11'), Ruiz (59')

In Focus: Rangers' Europa League opponents Braga

Braga have embarked on an impressive domestic run since the appointment of Ruben Amorim in December.

Rangers host Braga at Ibrox in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the Portuguese outfit ahead of Thursday's game.

European form

Braga have been in Europe in 15 of the last 16 seasons and reached the 2011 Europa League final, losing to rivals Porto 1-0 in Dublin. They are unbeaten in 13 European matches, winning nine, and have won eight out of 10 this term. Their last away defeat in continental competition came in February 2018 when they went down 3-0 to Marseille in the first leg of their last-32 tie.

Record against Scottish teams

Braga's record against Scottish opposition is mixed. Hearts were the first team from north of the border to make the journey to Estadio Municipal de Braga for a UEFA Cup showdown in 2004. The Jambos travelled to Portugal having claimed a 3-1 triumph with goals from Andy Webster, Paul Hartley and Patrick Kisnorbo in a game staged at Murrayfield rather than Tynecastle. Dutchman Mark De Vries then grabbed a second-leg double to hand Craig Levein's side a 2-2 draw and progress to the group stages. But the Archbishops had better luck against Celtic in 2010 in their first ever Champions League clash as they dished out a 3-0 drubbing to Neil Lennon's Hoops in Portugal. Gary Hooper and Efrain Juarez netted for the hosts in the Parkhead return but Paulo Cesar's early opener had already but the tie beyond the Celts.

Dangermen

Striker Paulinho has scored 15 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions this season. He was in Portugal's provisional squad for last year's World Cup but did not make the final cut. Young forward Francisco Trincao, meanwhile, has agreed a £26million summer move to Barcelona. The Portugal Under-21 international made his debut in his country's top flight in January last year and has this season contributed four goals from 19 run-outs.

Manager

Ruben Amorim was appointed boss two days before Christmas and only three months after returning to Braga to coach the club's B team. Amorim is best known for his nine-year stint at Benfica, who he helped win three Portuguese league titles. He also made 14 appearances for Portugal, including run-outs at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

Domestic form

Braga have embarked on a seriously impressive run of form since Amorim took charge. A sequence of six wins and a draw from his seven Primeira Liga games in charge so far have seen the club surge up to third place. Last weekend's 1-0 win over Benfica was Braga's first victory at the Stadium of Light for 65 years. And Amorim already has a trophy under his belt after guiding his team to a 1-0 triumph over Porto in last month's Portuguese League Cup final.

ID:390157: cacheID:390157:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4031:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard on December 29, 2019
Read Next:
Steven Gerrard: 'Rangers should have beaten Livingston more convincingly'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!