Decisive night for Benfica and Braga’s European hopes – Portugal Resident

Portugal’s European club campaign reaches its first decisive night of the new season this evening (July 30), with Benfica and Braga both playing at home – at exactly the same time – but facing very different tasks.

Benfica must overturn a 2-1 defeat against Swiss side St Gallen to remain in the Europa League, while Braga take a 1-0 advantage into their Conference League return match against Serbia’s Železničar Pančevo.

Both matches kick off at 8pm.

For Benfica, the pressure is already on. Marco Silva’s first competitive match as manager ended in an unexpected defeat in Switzerland last Thursday, with the Eagles producing a disjointed performance against opponents they had been widely expected to beat.

Aliou Baldé gave St Gallen the lead in the 37th minute before Rafa Silva equalised shortly before half-time. However, Tom Gaal’s 80th-minute header earned the Swiss club a deserved 2-1 victory and left Benfica needing a comeback at the Estádio da Luz.

A victory by two or more goals will take Benfica into the third qualifying round, while a one-goal win will send the tie into extra time. A draw or defeat would end the club’s Europa League campaign, although Benfica would receive another European lifeline by dropping into Conference League qualifying.

Marco Silva acknowledged that significant improvement will be needed but said he remains convinced Benfica will turn the tie around.

“We have to be stronger collectively and produce a performance that allows our qualities to overcome the way our opponents play,” he said. “We want to send a message to the supporters from the beginning, and a strong start will help bring the match under our control.”

The Benfica coach will have more options available than he did in Switzerland. Several players who returned late following the World Cup are expected to be involved, while Leandro Barreiro has recovered from the respiratory infection that ruled him out of the first leg.

“We have confidence that the players will respond,” Silva said. “At this level, we have to approach every match as if it were a final.”

Braga hold the advantage

Braga’s position is more comfortable, but far from secure.

The Minho club returned from Serbia with a 1-0 first-leg victory, secured by a Ricardo Horta penalty in the 67th minute.

A win or draw at the Estádio Municipal de Braga will guarantee their place in the third qualifying round of the Conference League. A one-goal defeat would force extra time, while a loss by two or more would eliminate Carlos Vicens’ side.

Despite the victory in Serbia, Vicens was unhappy with aspects of Braga’s performance and wants a more convincing display in the club’s first home match of the season.

“We lacked energy, assertiveness and determination in our attacks,” the Spanish coach said. “We want to show a different version of ourselves.”

Vicens also insisted that Braga will not attempt to sit on their slender advantage.

“We want a solid, hardworking team that uses its processes to pursue victory without thinking too much about the small advantage we have,” he said. “The tie remains open.”

Braga reached the Europa League semi-finals last season but must now negotiate three qualifying rounds to secure a place in the Conference League’s league phase.

Benfica’s match against St Gallen will be broadcast live in Portugal on SIC, BTV and LiveModeTV. Braga’s meeting with Železničar Pančevo will be shown on Sport TV5.