Braga beat Arouca 2-0 to maintain the pressure in the Primeira Liga
Braga returned to winning ways in the quarrry after beating Arouca 2-0.
The Warriors took the lead within the first 20 seconds, Abel Ruiz and Ricardo Horta combining with the Spanish forward finding the bottom corner.
It was largely a dull after that, with Simon Banza scoring the three points in the 81st minute when he hoisted the ball over the line.
Arouca finally tested Matheus in the 88th minute, the shot-stopper making a series of saves to save the goal.
The win sees Artur Jorge’s side keep the pressure on Benfica and Porto in the Primeira Liga. Braga are preparing for a trip to Florence where they face the difficult task of staying in the Europa Conference League.
Braga wastes no time
Braga got off to a flying start, putting the ball in the net with his opening attack. Abel Ruiz played a clever 1-2 with Ricardo Horta on the edge of the box before deflecting the ball into the net.
Uroš Račić looked sure as he could score as a corner fell right at his feet. Alan Ruiz pushed in to make a crucial block and keep his team in the game.
Low quality affair
Arouca was dealt a heavy blow in the 32nd minute when playmaker Ruiz was carried off and replaced by Pedro Moreira.
The first half didn’t produce many memorable moments, the only shot on target being Abel Ruiz’s opener.
André Horta replaced Račić at the break but Braga showed similar weaknesses as in the 4-0 defeat by Fiorentina, thankfully Arouca doesn’t have the same individual or collective quality as the Serie A side.
Artut Jorge, sensing the danger, made two substitutions in the 56th minute when Bruma and Abel Ruiz made way for Pizzi and Iuri Medeiros. Medeiros was immediately involved in a volley that tested Ignacio de Arruabarrena.
The game continued to be a dull affair, with home crowds growing impatient and trying to spur their team into action.
Oday Dabbagh and Antony saw their efforts blocked before both coaches went on the bench in the 71st minute, Evangelista brought on Arsénio Nunes and Rafa Mújica for Ismaila Soro and Dabbagh, Jorge brought on André Castro for Ricardo Horta.
Banza seals the deal
Castro headed Medeiros’ free-kick on target, Arruabarrena hammered the ball at the far post, where Simon Banza passed João Basso and sent the ball over the line.
Banza made way for Álvaro Djaló before Matheus saved the goal with an incredible triple save in the 89th minute and prevented Mújica, who had rushed on goal. Bruno Marques went wide with the last chance in stoppage time, but Arouca’s attack couldn’t put it through.
The win gives the Warriors a small boost of confidence ahead of a tough trip to Italy where they will try to come back from a 4-0 deficit against Fiorentina in the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout stages.
My Matthew Marshall at the Estadio Municipal de Braga
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