SC Braga confirmed this Friday unfortunate news for its fans: Portuguese international Ricardo Horta has suffered a right thigh muscle injury and will be a significant absence in the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals. This crucial setback affects the Minho team in their quest for a spot in the European competition's final.

Ricardo Horta's injury was detected after the first leg match against Freiburg, where the forward was substituted in the 26th minute due to discomfort. The confirmation of the severity of the right thigh muscle injury prevents the captain from taking the field in the upcoming European challenge.

Ricardo Horta's absence represents a severe blow to SC Braga's aspirations in the Europa League. The player is a fundamental part of the team's tactical setup, being one of their main goalscorers and playmakers, and his absence will be felt in the attack.

The decisive clash against Freiburg is of utmost importance for SC Braga. The team will have to overcome the disadvantage without one of its most influential players, requiring an even greater collective effort to achieve qualification for the final.

Ricardo Horta's recovery will now be the focus, with the club monitoring his condition to determine the exact downtime. SC Braga's coaching staff will have to readjust their strategy for the next match, seeking alternatives to fill the void left by their talented forward.