Nacional Vs Braga

Nacional and Braga kick off the sixth round of the 2024-25 Portuguese Primeira Liga on Friday, September 20, with a match at the Estadio da Madeira. This fixture comes at a pivotal moment for both sides as they seek to gain momentum in the early stages of the season. For Braga, the encounter represents a chance to bounce back from their first league defeat and regain confidence before their Europa League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv. On the other hand, Nacional is looking to stabilize their form after an inconsistent start to their return to Portugal’s top tier.

Nacional has had a rocky beginning to life in the Primeira Liga after gaining promotion from the Segunda Liga at the end of last season. Their journey in the 2024-25 campaign has been a tale of ups and downs, with defensive weaknesses being the most glaring issue. They have already conceded nine goals in five games, a statistic that reflects their vulnerability at the back. Only Farense, who sit at the bottom of the table, have a worse defensive record, having shipped 12 goals so far.

Their most recent outing, a narrow 1-0 loss to Estoril Praia, highlighted their fragility. Estoril's victory came courtesy of a spectacular goal from Joao Carvalho, who capitalized on a costly error by Nacional’s goalkeeper Lucas Franca. Franca, who had ventured far from his line to clear the ball, left his goal exposed, allowing Carvalho to score from 35 yards with a pinpoint strike. Despite Nacional’s efforts to claw back into the game, they couldn’t break down Estoril’s defense, leaving them with their third defeat of the season.

That loss was a significant setback for Nacional, especially after they had secured their first win of the season just a week earlier. On September 1, they convincingly defeated Farense 2-0 at home. The goals came from Brazilian midfielder Daniel Penha, who scored shortly before halftime, and young striker Isaac, who sealed the victory early in the second half. That win had provided a brief glimmer of hope that Nacional might be finding their feet in the top division, but their failure to follow it up with another positive result has put them back on shaky ground.

Manager Tiago Margarido now faces the challenge of ensuring that Nacional can compete at this level. His side’s inability to defend consistently has been their Achilles' heel, and with a daunting match against Braga looming, there are real concerns about whether they can rise to the occasion. The statistics paint a grim picture for Nacional, as they have not beaten Braga in their last 15 attempts, suffering 12 defeats and managing just three draws. The last time Nacional triumphed over Braga was in October 2013, when they claimed a 3-0 victory at home.

Braga, one of the most consistent teams in Portuguese football in recent years, come into this fixture after suffering their first league loss of the season. Last Sunday, they were defeated 2-0 by their fierce rivals, Vitoria de Guimaraes, in a match that saw them reduced to 10 men. Defender Bright Arrey-Mbi was sent off in the second half, leaving Braga vulnerable. Guimaraes capitalized on their numerical advantage, scoring twice in quick succession through Joao Mendes and Tomas Ribeiro to secure a well-deserved win.

This defeat was a significant blow for Carlos Carvalhal’s men, who had started the season in fine form. Before the loss to Guimaraes, Braga had gone nine matches without defeat, recording six wins and three draws across all competitions. Their solid form had seen them progress to the Europa League group stage, overcoming a tough qualifying campaign. Braga easily dispatched Maccabi Petach Tikva and Swiss side Servette before surviving a thrilling playoff against Rapid Vienna, winning 4-3 on aggregate to secure their place in Europe’s second-tier competition.

However, Braga’s recent performances suggest that their early-season momentum may have stalled. They are now winless in their last three matches in all competitions, with their most recent triumph coming in late August when they edged out Rapid Vienna. This minor slump has caused some concern among fans and pundits, especially given Braga’s ambitions this season. Carvalhal will be keen to ensure that his side does not let their form slip further, especially with their opening Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv just around the corner.

Despite the recent dip in results, Braga can draw confidence from their strong away record. They have been formidable on the road, remaining unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 competitive away fixtures. This run, which stretches back to February, includes eight victories and three draws, highlighting their ability to grind out results in difficult environments. If Braga can maintain this level of performance away from home, they will fancy their chances of coming away with all three points against Nacional.

For Nacional, the focus will be on shoring up their defense and finding a way to stifle Braga’s potent attacking play. Goalkeeper Lucas Franca will need to be at his best after his costly error against Estoril, while the defensive unit in front of him must remain organized and disciplined. Tiago Margarido may opt for a more conservative approach, focusing on counter-attacking opportunities to exploit any gaps left by Braga’s adventurous full-backs.

In attack, much will depend on Daniel Penha and Isaac, who have been Nacional’s standout performers so far. Penha, with his ability to pull the strings in midfield, will be key to Nacional’s hopes of controlling possession and creating chances. Meanwhile, Isaac’s pace and movement will be vital in stretching Braga’s defense. However, Nacional’s attackers will face a tough challenge in breaking down a Braga side that, despite their recent dip in form, remains solid defensively.

Braga, on the other hand, will look to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game. Carlos Carvalhal is likely to stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with central midfielders Al Musrati and Andre Horta providing the platform for Braga’s attacking quartet. Wingers Ricardo Horta and Simon Banza will be tasked with providing width and creativity, while Abel Ruiz, leading the line as the lone striker, will look to exploit Nacional’s defensive vulnerabilities.

One of the key battles in this match will be in midfield, where Braga’s ability to control possession could dictate the flow of the game. Nacional’s midfield will need to work tirelessly to close down spaces and prevent Braga from building their attacks. However, if Braga can establish their passing rhythm, they will likely create several goal-scoring opportunities, especially with their dangerous wide players.

For Nacional, this match represents an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the top teams in the league. While their recent form and historical record against Braga do not inspire confidence, there is always the possibility of an upset, especially with the backing of their home crowd. A positive result here could provide a much-needed boost to their morale and help them build some momentum as they continue their battle to establish themselves in the Primeira Liga.

Braga, meanwhile, will be looking to get back to winning ways and put their recent struggles behind them. With a packed schedule that includes domestic fixtures and European commitments, Carvalhal will be keen to manage his squad effectively and ensure that they are firing on all cylinders. A win against Nacional would not only restore confidence but also provide the perfect springboard for their Europa League campaign, which begins in just a few days.

Both teams have plenty to play for in this intriguing contest, and while Braga will be the favorites, Nacional will be hoping to spring a surprise. Whether they can overcome their defensive frailties and stifle Braga’s potent attack remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — this match will be a stern test for both sides as they seek to make their mark on the 2024-25 Primeira Liga season.