After 11 years, Braga will play in the LM group, Galatasaray and Young Boys also advance

>> Young Boys Bern vs Maccabi Haifa Champions League 4th preliminary round match, August 29, 2023. From left, Daniel Sundgren of Maccabi Haifa and Kastriot Imeri of Young Boys Bern.

Prague – After 11 years, Braga footballers advanced to the Champions League group. The Portuguese team, with Czech goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček on the bench, defeated Panathinaikos 1:0 in the rematch of the final 4th preliminary round in Athens and followed up on the opening 2:1 home win. The teams Galatasaray Istanbul and Young Boys Bern, who knocked out Molde and Maccabi Haifa respectively, secured their participation in the main stage of the elite competition today.

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Braga was kept in Athens by goalkeeper Matheus, who performed best against Vagiannidis' header at the end of the first half. In the 83rd minute, Bruma decided the match with a shot on the back post. In the set time, the home team Juankar was sent off after the second yellow card.

Galatasaray opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Ellingsen held up Icardi in the penalty area and the Argentinian striker converted the penalty. But then the hosts left the initiative to the Norwegian opponent, who threw away several chances, but substitute Hestad equalized in the 66th minute. But Galatasaray secured a 2-1 victory for Angelica in the third minute of regulation with a spot-kick from a free kick. The Istanbul team followed up with a 3:2 triumph against Molde and qualified for the Champions League group after four years.

After an initial goalless draw in Haifa at home, the Young Boys started to advance already in the first half, when Itten scored and Seck into own goal. Just after the change of sides in Bern, Ugrinic added the third goal. The Swiss team will play the autumn phase of the Champions League for the second time in the last three seasons.

Results of the return matches of the 4th preliminary round of the football Champions League

Championship part:

Young Boys Bern – Maccabi Haifa 3:0 (2:0)

Goals: 23. Itten, 28. own Seck, 46. Ugrinic. First match: 0:0, Bern advances.

Galatasaray Istanbul – Molde (Nor.) 2:1 (1:0)

Goals: 7. Icardi from pen., 90 .+3 Angel – 66. E. Hestad. First match: 3:2, Galatasaray advanced.

Non-championship part:

Panathinaikos Athens – Braga 0:1 (0:0)

Goal: 83. Brum. ČK: 90.+1 Juankar (Panathinaikos). First match: 1:2, Braga advanced.