Champions League Match preview: Real Madrid v Braga
The Champions League continues midweek as Real Madrid host Braga on Matchday 4.
These two sides met last month at the Municipal Stadium of Braga with the Spanish side emerging victorious via a Jude Bellingham strike after Alvaro Djalo cancelled out Rodrygo’s first-half opener.
Real Madrid’s perfect UCL record
Madrid can qualify for the last-16 if they avoid defeat against the Portuguese team for the second time in the group stage having previously recorded wins at home to Union Berlin and away at Napoli.
Last time out, Ancelotti’s side drew 0-0 against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend and now trail surprise La Liga leaders Girona by two points as they look to reclaim the title from Barcelona. Although the draw with Vallecano was a frustrating one given that they enjoyed a win in El Clasico the previous week, they are now eight games unbeaten.
Jude Bellingham’s flying start
Bellingham’s form has been the standout feature of Madrid’s season so far with the England international having made a storming start to life in Spain with 13 goals in 14 games so far in 2023-24. The twenty-year old is now a talismanic figure for the the team and will be looking to net for the fourth Champions League fixture in a row.
Braga’s group stage mixed bag
Braga have three points from as many matches so far in the group stage with their 3-2 come from behind win over Union Berlin, sandwiched between two 2-1 home losses to Napoli and Madrid, respectively.
Last time out domestically, Artur Jorge’s men hammered Portimonense at home on Saturday courtesy of a Simon Banza hattrick which added to strikes from Ricardo Horta and Djalo. The Portuguese side will hope to take the confidence from that big win into Wednesday’s clash at the Bernabeu.
A Europa League place is the aim for the visitors, sitting in third with a three-point cushion over Union Berlin. A positive result here will go a long way towards securing that as Madrid and Napoli are expected to qualify for the last-16.
Horta and Banza will be key to Braga’s hopes of causing Madrid issues on the counter-attack, whilst Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Bellingham will need to kept as quiet as possible by Joe Mendes and Sikou Niakhate in defense.
Team news
Bellingham should be fine to start for Ancelotti’s side despite suffering a shoulder injury in the draw with Rayo Vallecano.
Los Blancos will be without Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois and Aurelien Tchouameni with knee and foot injuries, respectively.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, David Alaba and Toni Kroos will start in place of the injured trio.
Artur Jorge has a clean bill of health to choose from ahead of the match, so Braga will play in their usual 4-2-3-1 system with Rodrigo Zalazar and Al Musrati protecting the back four with Djalo, Horta and Bruma supporting Banza in attack.
Next. Real Madrid dealt Eder Militao injury blow. dark
Likely lineups and prediction
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2)
Kepa; Carvahal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
Braga (4-2-3-1)
Matheus; Borja, Oliveira, Fonte, Mendes; Zalazar, Musrati; Djalo, Horta, Bruma; Banza
Real Madrid should have too much for Braga and will likely claim the result they need to quality for the knockout stages with two matches to play. Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior will fancy their chances against the aging Jose Fonte in defense.
Real Madrid 3 Braga 0