Braga Vs M.Tel-Aviv

The eagerly anticipated Europa League campaign for 2024-25 kicks off on Thursday, with SC Braga and Maccabi Tel Aviv set to meet in the opening round of the league phase at the iconic Estádio Municipal de Braga. Both teams come into this fixture with great momentum, having proven their prowess in the qualifying stages, and each will be eager to claim a vital victory as they aim for progression in Europe’s second-tier competition.

For Braga, this match is the culmination of a rigorous qualification process, as they secured their place in the main competition with a determined victory over Austrian side Rapid Vienna in the playoff round. Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv, their Israeli opponents, stormed into the group stage with an emphatic 8-1 aggregate demolition of Serbian outfit Backa Topola. The stage is now set for an exciting clash between two sides with high ambitions on the European stage.

Braga’s journey to the Europa League group stage has been anything but straightforward. The Portuguese outfit, known affectionately as *Os Arcebispos* (The Archbishops), earned their spot in European competition by finishing fourth in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season. However, this achievement was just the beginning, as Braga had to navigate three grueling rounds of qualification to book their place in the league phase.

Their European campaign began in the second qualifying round, where they faced Maccabi Petah Tikva, a club coincidentally from Israel, albeit not on the same level as Maccabi Tel Aviv. Braga made an emphatic statement in that tie, dispatching their opponents with a 7-0 aggregate victory over two legs. It was a dominant display that showcased their attacking flair and set the tone for their European adventure.

Moving into the third qualifying round, Braga encountered a much sterner test in the form of Swiss side Servette. The tie was closely contested, but Braga’s experience in European competitions saw them through to the playoff round. The first leg ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Braga, with Vitor Carvalho scoring the decisive goal. In the return leg in Switzerland, Servette put up a strong fight, but a composed performance by Braga saw them progress with a 2-2 draw, advancing 3-2 on aggregate.

In the playoff round, Braga faced a significant challenge in Rapid Vienna, a team with a storied history in European competitions. The first leg, played at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, saw the Portuguese side claim a crucial 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Vitor Carvalho and Rodrigo Zalazar. In the return leg in Austria, Braga found themselves 2-0 down at one point, but a spirited comeback, with late goals from Amine El Ouazzani and captain Ricardo Horta, salvaged a 2-2 draw. That result secured a 4-3 aggregate victory, sending Braga into the league phase for the sixth consecutive year.

While their European campaign has been challenging, Braga have also had to balance their commitments in the Portuguese domestic league. After a somewhat slow start to the Primeira Liga season, Carlos Carvalhal's men appear to have found their rhythm. In their most recent domestic outing, Braga secured an impressive 3-0 away victory against Nacional on Friday. The game was goalless until the 75th minute, when defender Sikou Niakate broke the deadlock. This was followed by quick-fire goals from Bruma and Amine El Ouazzani, sealing all three points for *Os Arcebispos*.

This result has not only helped to restore confidence within the squad but also provided them with a timely boost ahead of their Europa League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Carvalhal will hope that the victory over Nacional serves as a springboard for further success, as Braga look to make a strong start to their continental campaign. With a home crowd behind them and their key players in form, Braga will be aiming to take all three points and lay down a marker in what promises to be a highly competitive group.

While Braga’s path to the league phase has been arduous, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s journey has been marked by dominance. The Israeli champions entered European competition after a disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, but they quickly turned their fortunes around in the Europa League.

In the third qualifying round, Maccabi faced Panevezys of Lithuania. They secured their passage to the playoff round with a comfortable 5-1 aggregate victory, winning 2-1 away and 3-0 at home. This was a solid performance, but their most remarkable display came in the playoff round against Serbian side Backa Topola. Maccabi put on a masterclass over two legs, thrashing their opponents 8-1 on aggregate. The first leg, played in Hungary, ended in a 3-0 victory for Maccabi, while the return leg in Israel saw them romp to a 5-1 win. It was a performance that underscored their attacking firepower and highlighted the threat they pose to any team in this competition.

Under the guidance of manager Zarko Lazetic, Maccabi Tel Aviv have become a formidable force, both domestically and in Europe. They return to continental action in fine form, having made a perfect start to their domestic title defense. The *Yellows* have won each of their first four league matches, scoring eight goals and conceding just one. Their domestic dominance continued in their most recent outing on Sunday, as they secured a 2-0 victory over Ashdod, with Dor Turgeman and Nemanja Stojic finding the back of the net in the first half.

Maccabi Tel Aviv are currently riding a wave of momentum, with nine consecutive victories across all competitions. Their impressive form, coupled with their experience in European competition, makes them a dangerous opponent for Braga. Lazetic will be keen to see his side make a statement in Portugal and take home a valuable three points from their opening match in the league phase.

As the two teams prepare to face off, the tactical battle between Carlos Carvalhal and Zarko Lazetic will be a key factor in determining the outcome. Braga are known for their high-intensity pressing game and their ability to control possession in midfield. Under Carvalhal’s leadership, they have developed a fluid attacking style, with players like Bruma and Ricardo Horta providing creativity and goal-scoring threat from wide areas. The presence of Vitor Carvalho in midfield adds defensive solidity, while Amine El Ouazzani offers a focal point in attack.

Braga will likely look to dominate possession and play on the front foot, especially with the backing of their home crowd. However, they will need to be wary of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s counter-attacking threat. The Israeli side are known for their quick transitions and ability to exploit space in behind opposing defenses. Dor Turgeman, who has been in fine goal-scoring form, will be a key figure for Maccabi, along with Nemanja Stojic and Gabi Kanichowsky, who provide creativity and energy in midfield.

Lazetic’s tactical approach has been centered around solid defensive organization and quick, incisive counter-attacks. Maccabi Tel Aviv will likely adopt a more conservative approach away from home, focusing on staying compact defensively and hitting Braga on the break. However, with the confidence gained from their recent run of victories, they will also back themselves to cause problems for the Portuguese side and come away with a positive result.

Both Braga and Maccabi Tel Aviv have rich histories in European competition. Braga, in particular, have established themselves as regular contenders in the Europa League. The Portuguese side famously reached the final of the competition in 2011, where they were narrowly beaten by fellow Portuguese club FC Porto. Since then, they have consistently qualified for the group stages and have often progressed to the knockout rounds.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, have also enjoyed success in Europe, regularly competing in both the Europa League and Champions League. They have a proud tradition of representing Israel on the continental stage and have made it to the group stages of the Europa League on multiple occasions. Their recent performances in European qualifiers suggest that they are more than capable of making a deep run in this year’s competition.

As Braga and Maccabi Tel Aviv prepare to do battle, both teams will be acutely aware of the