Disappointment for Paciencia

Sporting Braga manager Domingos Paciencia was distraught after his side lost the Europa League final in Dublin on Wednesday.

Paciencia’s side were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline as Radamel Falcao’s first-half header proved the difference, which left the manager to bemoan Braga’s lack of luck.

They had several chances to snare an equaliser, the best falling to Marcio Mossoro, while they had Porto sitting back at the end of the match as they tried to protect their lead.

That would have pleased the Braga manager – but his side’s failure to take a chance ultimately cost them.

“My players are sad and so am I. We were not inferior today as everyone expected. Porto punished a lapse in concentration from our defence and we paid the price for that,” said Paciencia, who is leaving the club at the end of the season.

“We controlled the game in the second half, and I am really disappointed (Marcio) Mossoro could not put away his chance, this could have changed everything.”

Paciencia also bemoaned a late decision made by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo that could have changed the outcome of the match.

“(Porto defender Cristian) Sapunaru’s foul merited a red card,” he said.

The final was Braga’s first of any kind in Europe and if they won, it would have been their first trophy the club has won since 1976-1977.