In Europe’s elite competition, this is essentially a mismatch between Real Madrid and SC Braga. The Spanish side reign supreme in this competition, while the Portuguese are just trying to rub their shoulders with the big boys.
Braga have somewhat made a decent start to the Portuguese Liga this season after claiming four wins, one draw and two defeats in their opening seven games of the season. In the Champions League, Braga toppled TSC in the first round before going ahead to face Panathinaikos in the final round and they triumphed 3-1 on aggregate to book their place in Europe’s elite competition for the first time in ten years.
Braga then recorded just a win in their next three league games. The win came against Moreinrese, a draw against Sporting and a defeat came against Farense in the Portuguese Liga. Another defeat soon followed in their Champions League opener at home to Napoli. Despite a second half performance worthy of at least a point, they were undone by a late goal from Sikou Niakate.
After those series of poor results, Artur Jorge’s men seem to have found their groove and they took two massive wins against Boavista and Estrela to end the month on a strong note.
On the other hand, Real Madrid lost their La Liga crown to Barcelona last season, losing out to arch-rivals Barcelona in the title race, but it looks like they are ready to compete this season despite the exit of Benzema to Saudi Arabia.
Real Madrid were involved in three consecutive away games while their home ground – Santiago Bernabéu- was being prepared for this season. Well, they still went ahead to win all their first five league games of the season.
Los Blancos kicked off the season with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao. Rodrygo got the opening goal while summer signing Jude Bellingham, who would go on to claim the August player of the month, scored the game’s second goal. A 3-1 win over Almeria followed that opening day win. Madrid went a goal down before goals from Jude Bellingham (brace) and Vinicius secured the second win of the season. It was even very difficult in the next game against Celta Vigo but Real Madrid laboured to a 1-0 win courtesy Bellingham’s goal.
While they struggled to keep clean sheets in those games, that poor run continued against Getafe in their first game at the refurbished Bernabeu. However, goals from Joselu and Bellingham turned things around once again.
Real Madrid remained top with their 100% record intact before the international break and upon resumption, Madrid’s doggedness showed in the game against Real Sociedad after they went a goal down, but the Spanish giants, just like they have done on multiple occasions, found a way once again through Valverde and Joselu, while star forward Vinicius Junior was missing.
The group is beginning to take shape with Real Madrid and Napoli looking to book their spot in the next round. Braga know that they need to take a win against one of the top sides in the group to stand a chance of making it out of here.
Real Madrid are kings of this competition for a reason and they have won on 12 of the 13 occasions when their opening game of a Champions League campaign has been played at home. Based on form and pedigree, Real Madrid should win this easily.
Match Tickets
The epic match at Estadio Municipal de Braga in Braga kicks off on Tuesday 24th October, at 8 PM UK time and it will be shown live on TNT Sports, with coverage starting from around 7 PM.
This is going to be a great game at the 30,360-capacity stadium, and with Real Madrid’s reputation, a full house is expected in this game.
Getting tickets for SC Braga vs Real Madrid tickets could be difficult to get given the magnitude of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team News
Line-ups
Arthur Jorge’s side don’t have major casualties and the team is expected to line up in the manner they have been doing all season.
SS Braga: Matheus; Gomez, Niakate, Saatci, Borja; Zalazar, Al Musarati, Djalo; Pizzi; Horta, Banza.
Don Carlo takes joy in rotating his squad especially his midfield and he should do it again. However, Kepa, Alaba, and Rudiger are all expected to start in the backline. Joselu should continue in attack based on his fine form. Meanwhile, Éder Militão and Thibaut Courtois are ruled out until next year after both sustained respective ACL injuries.
Real Madrid: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrigo, Joselu.
Prediction
At the time of writing, Real Madrid have not fired blank in any competitive game this season and it looks as if they can’t be stopped. Braga also enjoy scoring and conceding goals in their games.
In terms of players who could get the goals, Joselu has replaced Benzema in his own way, while Rodrygo has the best minutes-per-goal involvement ratio of any Real Madrid player in the Champions League (min. 500 minutes played) since the 19/20 season, averaging a goal or assist every 86 minutes (15 goals and eight assists).
It is their first-ever meeting at any stage but Real Madrid are still huge favourites to win this game in Portugal.
SC Braga 1-2 Real Madrid
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