Some years ago, this would be a dream result for Braga. However, Parma are not the powerful team which featured Faustino Asprilla, Thomas Brolin, Gianfranco Zola or, in a later stage, Enrico Chiesa, Gianluigi Buffon, Marco Di Vaio, Lilian Thuram or Fabio Cannavaro. The Italian side have nothing to do with those years and what you see now is a group of average players trying to hold things out. Not to dominate. This was a fair win for Braga and the goal came by the magnificient Brazilian striker Zé Carlos, proving why he's one of the most valuable players in the Portuguese league. Bad debut for the new Parma coach Claudio Ranieri, who has got a tricky mission for the second leg.

Parma have been under many financial problems during the last seasons and the consequence is obvious - poor team results. There isn't a single star in the team so there is no shine of individual quality to lead the team. Ranieri used a cautious five-back tactic, with Perna, Paci and Corini as centre-backs, surrounded by the fullbacks Coly (right) and Bocchini (left) - the Portuguese veteran Fernando Couto was benched. Kutuzov, who already played in Portugal (at Sporting), was the main centre-forward, supplied by Pisanu (right) and Gasbarroni (left). The latter had clear advantage on his duels against Braga's right-back Luís Filipe and Pisanu was a big threat for the home side, especially during the first half. The wingers were the best performances on the visitors, who played a very prudent strategy. Parma had two good goal occasions but their cynical style ran against them.

Braga's coach Rogério Gonçalves was also cautious on his tactical approach - used three defensive minded midfielders - but soon he saw he had conditions to attack a bit more and push Parma to Bucci's goal. Bruno Gama (replaced Frechaut on the 38th minute) gave some life on the attacking movements. Centre-back Nem had many physical problems and he had to be replaced on the interval - the Peruvian Alberto Rodriguez took his spot well and maybe he will earn a first team status. João Pinto was the main figure of the team and Parma controlled him with zonal marking. Nevertheless, the former Benfica and Sporting star employed much experience and drove the ball always with good decisions. The two fullbacks had some problems to deal with Parma's dangerous wingers, whilst the two attackers Cesinha and Zé Carlos were quite energic upfront - Cesinha won the ball that allowed Zé Carlos to score a wonderful goal (great striker skills). Also a short mention to midfielder Vandinho - he still hasn't reached the maximum of his form but he's slowly improving. The importance of Vandinho gets even higher when Madrid is still recovering from injury.

After the match, Braga chairman António Salvador was angry with the fact that there were only 6000 supporters in the stadium to watch a game of such importance. Having on account Parma's performance, Braga have got conditions to beat the Italians in this round. And they believe they can make it. As for Parma, let's see if Claudio Ranieri will totally withdraw their UEFA Cup appearance only to save some more energies to fight against the difficult Serie A situation.