Real Madrid plays a Champions League showdown vs Braga in their away UCL matchday, intending to secure their third consecutive victory in this season’s campaign.
A win would put them in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages, following their wins over Union Berlin and Napoli in the first two Group C matches.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti’s team enters the match in Portugal after a disappointing league draw vs Sevilla over the weekend. Ancelotti has made four changes to the starting lineup from the Sevilla game to face in-form Braga.
Real Madrid – The Key Changes
Captain Nacho Fernandez makes a comeback to the lineup after serving a two-match suspension in La Liga replacing Alaba to partner up Rudiger in centre back.
David Alaba has been given a break, likely to conserve his energy for Saturday’s upcoming El Clásico clash vs Xavi’s team.
Ferland Mendy’s position at left-back is taken over by Fran Garcia who has lately fallen out of favor with Ancelotti due to an average start to his overall season for Real Madrid.
Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric replace Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos in the Real midfield who are both rested for the Barcelona clash.
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Real Madrid vs Braga – Team Line-ups:
Braga XI: Matheus, Ricardo Horta, Musrati, Simon Banza, Cristián Borja, Vitor Carvalho, Sikou Niakaté, Rodrigo Zalazar, Álvaro Djaló, Serdar Saatci, Joe Mendes
Real Madrid XI: Modric, Nacho, Carvajal, Rudiger, Kepa, Valverde, Fran García, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham
Joselu, initially reported to start for Real Madrid in the attack alongside Vini Jr, is unavailable due to flu. Ancelotti’s decision to rest players like Tchouameni, Alaba, Kroos, and Ferland Mendy suggests a strategic approach in view of the upcoming El Clásico.
