Braga's veteran midfielder Joao Moutinho has spoken out following his team's elimination from the UEFA Europa League at the semi-final stage. The Portuguese club faced a tough challenge in the second leg against German side Freiburg, ultimately losing the match 1-3 at the Europa-Park Stadion in Freiburg im Breisgau.
Despite the disappointment of not reaching the final, Moutinho's words reflected a sense of accomplishment. He stated that he is proud of what Braga achieved throughout the 2025/2026 season. However, he acknowledged that their efforts were not quite sufficient to secure a place in the showpiece event in Istanbul.
The semi-final tie was a closely contested affair across both legs. Braga had taken a valuable advantage from the first match, securing a 2-1 victory. This result meant Freiburg needed a strong performance in the return leg to overturn the deficit.
Freiburg delivered exactly that, winning the second leg 3-1. This victory gave them a 4-3 aggregate win, sending them through to the Europa League final. Moutinho took the opportunity to congratulate Freiburg on their achievement and progression.
The final of the 2025/2026 Europa League is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20th. Freiburg will now prepare to face English Premier League side Aston Villa in the decider. The match will take place at the Tüpraş Stadion in Istanbul, Turkey.
For Braga and Moutinho, the season ends with the disappointment of a semi-final exit but also with the pride of a strong European campaign. The team's journey to the last four of a major UEFA competition is a significant achievement for the Portuguese club.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.