A final full of contrastsDominic Raynor
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=316536&cc=5901Dublin will play host to the first all-Portuguese Europa League final when Porto meet Braga at the Aviva Stadium on May 18 but the near neighbours couldn't be more different in terms of style and history.
Porto coach Andre Villas-Boas has constructed a fluid, attacking side, built around a hard-working midfield, that romped to the Portuguese Liga title with a massive 21-point margin over second-placed Benfica and scored three or more goals on eight occasions en route to this European final.
In his first season at Porto, former Academica de Coimbra coach Villas-Boas has resurrected the fortunes of a club that limped into third place in their domestic league to qualify for this competition last season. His immediate success, along with a relative lack of experience as both a manager and a player, has already seen the 33-year-old likened to another Estadio do Dragao mastermind, Jose Mourinho.
Despite going through the entire season unbeaten and amassing the most points in a 30-game Portuguese league season, Villas-Boas has been keen to distance himself from comparisons with the 'Special One' - joking he might be the 'Sh*t One' - but the Porto coach will certainly be hoping to follow in his predecessor's footsteps on Wednesday night. Mourinho won the UEFA Cup - the forerunner of the Europa League - with Porto in 2003 before establishing himself as one of the best managers in Europe by guiding the club to the UEFA Champions League title in 2004.
Porto are clear favourites heading into the match but unfancied Braga have produced more than one giant-killing feat this season and manager Domingos Paciencia will have his side believing they can pull off another one in the club's maiden European final. Since taking over in 2009, the 42-year-old former Porto striker, for whom he scored over 100 goals, has broken 19 club records. Last season's second-place finish was the highest in Braga's history and this term his team have been the surprise package in Europe.
Paciencia's side beat Arsenal, Celtic and Sevilla in the Champions League before dropping into the Europa League to claim the scalps of former European champions Liverpool and Benfica. Braga might not be as pleasing on the eye as Porto but their clinical counter-attacking style gets results. A solid base, married with South American flair in attack, has proven to be a winning formula. But unfortunately Os Arsenalistas head into the final with question marks hanging over the fitness of defenders Rodriguez and Miguel Garcia and striker Paulo Cesar.
Porto player to watch - Radamel Falcao: The Colombian striker is the Europa League's top scorer with 16 goals, surpassing Jurgen Klinsmann's 15-year record of 15 in one season. He scored four of those goals in the semi-final first leg against Villarreal. With Porto trailing by a goal at the break, Falcao inspired a second-half comeback to win 5-1 and virtually book a place in the final. His goalscoring exploits have made him a hit with the fans but as vice-captain he has a much wider role in the team. He will be a marked man.
Braga player to watch - Hugo Viana: Brazilian forwards Lima and Alan may take the limelight but it is the pinpoint passing of former Newcastle United midfielder Viana that supplies the bullets for their guns. Having regained his place in the starting XI following a battle with Luis Aguiar at the start of the season he has become a vital part of his manager's plans. Viana is also the man to watch from set pieces - it was his free-kick in the semi-final first leg that Vandinho glanced in to give his side a vital away goal.
Key Battle: Joao Moutinho v Custodio Castro: Moutinho was called a "rotten apple" by Sporting chairman Jose Eduardo Bettencourt when he joined Porto for €11 million in July but there has been nothing fetid about his performances at the Estadio do Dragao this season. The versatile central midfielder, who can play in both a defensive and attacking role, is the conductor in the Porto orchestra and has been an ever-present figure in the side. Braga enforcer Custodio will be the man charged with ruining the music in Dublin. The former Sporting player may have popped up with the winning goal in the semi-final second leg against Benfica but he is primarily in the side for his defensive ability in midfield and will have Moutinho in his sights.
Trivia: Porto's 13 victories in 16 European matches is the most in one season by a Portuguese club. Villas-Boas' side have also scored 43 goals and won all their away games.
Stat: Porto have put a cumulative five goals past Braga in three of the past four Portuguese Liga seasons - with Braga winning just one of those eight games.
Betting: Porto (1.44), the draw (4.33) and Braga (7.50) are all available at bet365, but Falcao to score first in a 2-1 Porto victory will get you 26.00.
Prediction: Porto beat Braga home and away in the Portuguese league this season and will probably get the better of them again.
