UEFA Europa League Final: FC Porto v SC Braga Preview & Prediction

The stage is set and today at 2:45 PM ET we will experience an all-Portuguese final, the first of it's kind in this competition as FC Porto look to finish off an incredible 2010-2011 campaign against what many consider the tournament's Cinderella side in SC Braga. These 2 sides know it each other very well not only because of encountering each other in league play, but their cities are roughly only 30 miles apart. However, FC Porto remain clearly above and beyond when it comes to the bookmakers odds in this tie; but can SC Braga pull off yet another upset? 

This season has painted a very different story for both these sides; one in which they dominated their domestic league and finished undefeated while the other had finished 2nd only the season before to have dropped to 4th and finish 38 points behind the winners. While Braga did finish that far back of Porto in Portugal, it would be foolish for one to consider this an easy contest for the Dragons. Although Porto have been very impressive in all competitions, it's been Braga who have stolen the lime-light in the competition with their relentless attitude and belief that they can win the UEFA Cup. 

The UEFA Cup will be Portuguese regardless of the result.

Braga entered the competition via their exit from the UEFA Champions League, where despite posting a humiliating loss to Arsenal by the margin of 6-0, they were able to redeem themselves and earn respect from their group rivals and especially Arsenal who were not capable to repeating their earlier feat and fell 2-0 to Braga. Braga's European performance up to this point should have justified that they would be quite a side to deal with in the Europa League as their opponents were soon to find out. 

Custodio fires Braga into the final.

Along the way, they were able to knock out the likes of Liverpool, Dynamo Kiev and Portuguese rivals SL Benfica. It was against Benfica that they truly astonished after falling in Lisbon 2-1, they returned home and were able to knock off the Red Eagles with a 1-0 victory courtesy of an early header from former Sporting CP Captain Custodio and magnificent play from their keeper Artur. With the victory they had landed themselves yet another game to dream as they had reached their first ever European Cup final. 

Waiting for them in Dublin will be Portugal's champions and close neighbors FC Porto. Porto  entered the competition via the playoff round and have virtually been dismantling the opposition throughout the tournament. They possess a side that many claim would have been good enough to contend for this season's UEFA Champions League; however, any thoughts will have to wait until next season. Porto clinched the Portuguese League weeks before it's termination and won by a 21 point margin having not once conceded defeat. A very impressive season it has been for Andre Villas-Boas and co who have made the young Portuguese manager's first season in command one for the history books. 

FC Porto's brilliant attacking partnership.

Porto are a lot more flashy then their counter-parts and have a few more familiar household names as well. Hulk, the young Brazilian forward, was the Portuguese league's most dominant player this season and his stats show it all; however, it was the play of Porto's other forward which catapulted them into the Europa League final. Colombian striker Falcão has been on fire throughout the entire competition as he's already broken the competition's goal record, previously held by Jurgen Klinsmann, bagging 16 goals. 

Hugo Viana (Right) was once hailed as Portugal's next big talent.

As a matter of fact, Porto feature various players who are all but accustomed to this grand stage whereas we can only mention the same for a few players on Braga. One interesting story on Braga is that of former Portuguese International Hugo Viana. He was once proclaimed to be Portugal's next big talent after coming out of Sporting CP's famous academy to join Newcastle United at the tender age of 18. Unfortunately, his tenure in England was short-lived as inconsistent play and injuries led him to return to Portugal and then move to Spain with Valencia where he rarely featured. Finally, he secured a move to Braga where he has been able to win himself an active role on the team. I suspect that he more than anyone on that pitch tomorrow evening will understand how precious such moments like these are. 

Two of the most wanted manager's in European football.

As for how the final will play out, I suspect we'll witness something similar to Braga's semi-final tie against SL Benfica. Domingos Paciência has established himself along side of Porto's manager Andre Villas-Boas as one of European football's rising managerial stars. While many have been comparing the young Villas-Boas to his former boss José Mourinho, it has been Paciência who has looked more like the famous Portuguese manager. The tactics he has imposed throughout Braga's Europa League campaign a quite similar to that of Mourinho during Inter's UEFA Champions League run. However, a distinct difference is that Paciência does not possess as much quality as Mourinho's Inter side nor this current Porto side; but nor did he against Liverpool or SL Benfica. 

Although these 2 sides are quite familiar with one another, Paciência will have to force Villas-Boas into a managerial grudge match in order to have any chance in this tie. Look for Porto to try to establish their tempo early on as Hulk will try to put pressure on Artur's goal. Braga's hope will lie in how quickly and precise they can organize their counter-attack. If I were to put importance on any area of Braga's tactical line-up, I would say that their fullbacks must have the game of their lives. Sílvio is one of which who I believe can rise to the occasion, the Portuguese youngster has already been linked with various clubs outside Portugal and will look to leave a mark on his time with the club. Isn't that enough motivation? Now their are many players on this Braga side including their manager who won't be back next season which makes this match even more special to them. 

Sílvio may be playing his last match for Braga.

However, it's sad to say that this isn't a fairy-tale. Braga have made incredible strides this season, but if one thing is certain it's that this is FC Porto's year. This team was built for this and more and although Braga will prove to be frustrating early on, look for the Dragon's to do what their bitter rivals fell short of. 

FC Porto wins the UEFA Europa League 3-1 over their Portuguese neighbors SC Braga. 

Porto are set to relive this moment.