The Polish side had been ordered by UEFA to close half of their ground for the first leg following security problems during their group match against Juventus in December. However, the club won their appeal against the decision and will now be allowed to fill three quarters of their 43,090-capacity Miejski Stadium (kick-off 6pm GMT). The decision is an important one for Lech, who have proved one of the stories of this year's competition. Jose Mari Bakero's team finished second in Group A, just behind Manchester City, to send European giants Juventus crashing out. An impressive 3-1 home victory over big-spending City was the standout result as they reached the knockout stages of a European competition for the second time. The Poles, though, will be playing their first competitive match of the year as their domestic league is still in its winter break. Injuries are also a problem, with Tomasz Bandrowski and Kamil Drygas both out while Rafal Murawski is ineligible, leaving the hosts looking light in midfield. However, Dimitrije Injac has declared himself fit while Bakero has also confirmed Krzysztof Kotorowski will continue as his number one goalkeeper. The 34-year-old is now hoping the winter weather will be kind on Thursday, saying: "I'm obviously very pleased, but I'm also looking anxiously at the sky. "It's important that there isn't any rain because for goalkeepers such conditions are a nightmare." Kotorowski added of his continued run in the team: "I knew I had to work hard because only then I could count on this. "I'm ready and I cannot wait to clash with Braga. I've already watched some of their games and I know that we have a chance of getting through." Braga have also impressed in Europe this season, beating Sevilla to reach the group stages of the Champions League for the first time and then pushing Arsenal for the second qualifying spot. They came up just short but comfortably secured a place in the Europa League, where they will be hoping to make the last 16 for the third time. The Portuguese side also have injury problems, with captain Vandinho, Paulao, Elderson and Paulo Cesar all out. President Antonio Salvador said: "We will approach this round with confidence, but we know we are playing a strong team that eliminated Juventus and are champions of Poland."
