Celtic v Braga match preview
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has called on his team to show “real speed and tempo” when they host Braga on Matchday 2 of the Europa League in the club’s first meeting with a Portuguese side in the competition since 2003, when it was known as the UEFA Cup.
Porto beat the Hoops 3-2 after extra time in the final on that occasion, but Braga’s run of two points from their last four league matches does not suggest they will pose as much of a challenge, although Carlos Vicens’ team opened their European campaign with an impressive result by beating Feyenoord 1-0 at home.
“Braga have had their struggles in the league,” said Rodgers (via Celtic TV), whose players started their league phase with a 1-1 draw at Serbian leaders Crvena zvezda.
“But they had a good result against Feyenoord that got them three points in the first game. Like all Portuguese teams, they’ll be well organised, so we’ll see what they bring.
“They have gifted, talented players and games at this level are always going to be a good challenge. I’m really happy for us to be at home for our next two games.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to impose ourselves in the early stages of the competition. I want us to put in a really good performance… our whole duty is to win and that’s what we want to do.”
Former Mallorca midfielder Vicens guided Manchester City to the FA Youth Cup after joining the Premier League club in 2017 and was current first-team manager Pep Guardiola’s assistant from 2021 until joining Braga in May.
The Spaniard has faced protests from fans brandishing white handkerchiefs in the stands and said his team lacked the required “intensity, effort and tremendous competitiveness” in their 1-0 home defeat to Nacional on Sunday, dominating possession but having one attempt on target.
“That’s the least we have to offer,” he added, via Braga’s website. “That level of demand, commitment, work, and sacrifice… when that’s not there, it’s very difficult to compete.
“We have to be at our best. We all have to continue working to improve – including the coach – so that on Thursday we can [play like] the SC Braga we deserve [to be] – not just in the big games, in the Europa League, but in all of them.
“The schedule is what it is and we can’t use that as an excuse. If we don’t put our best foot forward, we won’t be able to compete.”
Celtic v Braga team news
Right-back Alistair Johnson (hamstring) and Portuguese winger Jota (knee) are out for Celtic.
Midfielder Reo Hatate missed the 0-0 Scottish Premiership draw at home to Hibernian on Saturday with a hamstring issue but Anthony Ralston returned at right-back following a foot injury and Rodgers is likely to make numerous changes again, having switched five players in his starting line-up from the draw in Belgrade.
Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho scored in that game before making his first league start for Celtic.
Portugal youth international Jonatas Noro is a long-term absentee for Braga at centre-back with a ruptured Achilles.
Uruguay international Rodrigo Zalazar and ex-Selecao player Joao Moutinho were withdrawn from Braga’s midfield at half-time against Nacional.
Vicens explained that he changed the pair because he wanted more speed and physicality, while defender Bright Arrey-Mbi also made way.
Celtic v Braga predicted line-ups
Celtic starting XI: Kasper Schmeichel, Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor, Benjamin Nygren, Kelechi Iheanacho, James Forrest, Yang Hyun-Jun, Daizen Maeda
Braga starting XI: Lukas Hornicek, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Sikou Niakate, Diego Rodrigues, Victor Gomez, Gabriel Moscardo, Joao Moutinho, Leonardo Lelo, Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Amine El Ouazzani, Ricardo Horta
How to watch Celtic v Braga: TV channel, online live streams
The match kicks off at 17:45 BST (12:45 ET / 09:45 PT) on Thursday and is being shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 2.
TNT Sports costs £29.99 a month through discovery+, which includes Eurosport and entertainment and is available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
