Braga have just two recognised centrebacks in squad to take on Wolves

Braga are suffering from something of a defensive crisis heading into their clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Europa League.

Braga have traveled to England with just two recognised out-and-out centrebacks in their squad to take on their English counterparts in their opening group stage match of the competition, with injuries having plagued their backline.

The trio of Wallace, Raul Silva and Tormena were not included in Braga’s 20-man squad to take on Wolves, with all three currently carrying injuries that kept them at home and out of action.

Wallace has been sidelined for the next couple of weeks thanks to a muscle injury in his left leg, while Raul Silva and Tormena were both omitted from Braga’s Europa League group stage squad a couple of weeks ago thanks to longer-term injuries.

Raul Silva has been injured since the end of the last campaign, so his absence comes as no surprise, while Tormena picked up his injury in the second leg clash against Spartak Moscow in Russia for the Europa League play-off round.

Their injuries were what led to Braga opting to bring in Wallace on loan from Lazio on transfer deadline day, but a knock of his own means that Braga travel to England with a stretched backline.

It means that they now have just two recognised central defenders to take part in the match - Bruno Viana and Pablo Santos. They are therefore fully expected to start together in the heart of defence for the visitors.

Intriguingly, Sa Pinto could have also called upon either of David Carmo or Lucas, both also suitable options at centreback, but decided against selecting either of them for the team to travel to England.

Striker Rui Fonte has also been omitted from the squad by choice, while forward Wilson Eduardo is also absent with a slight knock.

Bruno Viana. Photo author: Анна Нэсси. License link.