Two clubs chasing the Portuguese cup will do battle today in a match between Rio Ave and Sporting Braga. The semifinal scheduled for 3 p.m. ET will be held at the Estadio dos Arcos in Vila do Conde and can be live streamed here (requires free trial registration).
What They're Saying
Rio Ave manager Pedro Martins (via ZeroZero): "We hope that the gods are with us to help us progress to the final. The task is difficult, but we are very focused on success. I strongly believe that we can turn the tie. We've had some games this season where we turned the results and we scored after 90 minutes. This team is accustomed to difficulties. We have the support of our fans to galvanize the team and not infrequently help us turn results."
Sporting Braga manager Sergio Conceicao (via Maisfutebol): "We know we have to be on high alert for 90 minutes and the difficulties that we feel at Vila do Conde. It is normal. This is the game of the year for them. We should expect a strong Rio Ave that wants to score goals early in the game.I think the same, but we cannot give up our principles, our 'DNA' as a team and come not to tie, but to try to win the game."
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Ze Luis has been influential for Sporting Braga this campaign. In 21 appearances, the 24-year-old has eight goals and four assists.
Rio Ave's Projected Lineup (4-4-2): Moraes; Pinto, Gouano, Monte, Tarantini, Moreira, Wakaso, Lopes, Abalo, Valle, Ukra
Sporting Braga's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kritsyuk; Gomes, Pinto, Baiano, Santos; Carlos, Mauro; Ruben,Silva, Santos; Luis
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (lineups and statistics via WhoScored).
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