Resolute Braga leave Galatasaray frustrated

Alan confirmed victory for José Peseiro’s side in added time after the hosts had penned the Portuguese team back for long periods.

SC Braga responded to defeat on UEFA Champions League matchday one with victory at Galatasaray AŞ, courtesy of goals from Rúben Micael and Alan.

Rúben Micael’s 27th-minute strike and Alan’s simple finish in added time got the Portuguese side off the mark in Group H, with the Arsenalistas standing firm in the face of prolonged second-half pressure from the Turkish league leaders. Bottom of the section after their second loss, Galatasaray have it all to do ahead of the visit of CFR 1907 Cluj in three weeks. 

A stunning display of choreography behind each goal of the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi greeted the Galatasaray players as they walked out for the club’s first home fixture in this competition since December 2006. Braga had registered 35 efforts on goal in their 2-0 defeat by CFR, more than any other team on matchday one, and they immediately picked up from where they left off as Custódio glanced a free header wide.

That proved to be the exception rather than the rule early on, though, as Cimbom penned their opponents back, Emre Çolak forcing Beto into a low save and Burak Yılmaz clearing the crossbar with a free-kick before heading over the lively Emre’s left-wing delivery.

With the exception of Custódio’s header, little had been seen of the visitors as an attacking force until lone striker Éder took it upon himself to bludgeon his way through the Galatasaray defence. With Ruben Amorim quickly making up ground, Éder found his team-mate, whose shot was beaten out by Fernando Muslera into the path of Rúben Micael for a tap-in.

Emboldened by the goal, Braga might have put the result beyond doubt before half-time had it not been for Muslera. The Uruguay goalkeeper bravely thwarted Éder after Dany Nounkeu had failed to cut out Amorim’s cross-shot, and then dived to his left to push away Paulo Vinícius’s header from the ensuing corner.

With Fatih Terim’s team talk still resonating, the hosts started the second period in much the same way they did the first – on the front foot. Burak Yılmaz elicited a smart stop from Beto on the hour and Emre continued to deliver a steady stream of crosses into the penalty area, each centre being met by a Braga head. When one was not intercepted, Beto was well placed to collect Burak’s attempt.

Still the assault continued, Umut Bulut the next to threaten when, with his back to goal, he glanced substitute Aydın Yılmaz’s chip over the bar. Galatasaray’s feeling that it was not going to be their night was heightened further when Beto expertly tipped Aydın’s thunderous shot onto the woodwork. Alan, sweeping in Éder’s pass, made sure there would be no comeback.