Sp. Braga “can make history” against Real Madrid (Tuesday, 8 p.m., Eleven Sports) in the 3rd round of Group C of the Champions League, in a match that is “special”, according to Artur Jorge. Defeat puts Braga’s ambition to qualify for the round of 16 of the competition in doubt and almost cancels their qualification. meringues.

“We will have our chances and then it will depend on our attacking effectiveness. We also want to have a very strong defensive block, reduce the spaces that this opponent likes, be able to create them and have individuals who can make the difference on those moments. [Mas] our ambition makes us believe that it is possible to hurt this opponent. If we are efficient, we can score a goal and try to surprise this opponent,” the coach from Braga said today, reaffirming that this is “a very special match, which will leave a mark on the history of Sp. Braga”.

Artur Jorge announced that he could not count on the injured Victor Gómez, but continued to have doubts about the availability of Vítor Carvalho. The Warriors coach also said he believes “it is possible” to steal points from Real Madrid, citing the triumphs against Sevilla and Arsenal as a source of inspiration: “Anything is possible if we are ambitious and fight to the limit. ” .”

The outcome of the match can “determine and make a difference to the final results of the group”. And that is why Álvaro Djaló wants to play ‘face to face’ with Real Madrid, just like Sp. Braga did that against Nápoles (2-1 home defeat) and Union Berlin (3-2 away win). Only then will it be possible, according to the Spaniard of Guinea-Bissau descent, a self-proclaimed Barcelona fan, to ‘stab’ his Real Madrid father.

Djaló was one of Braga’s highlights at the start of the season – scoring seven goals, three of them in the preliminary stages of the Champions League – and harbors “the dream of being called up to the Spanish national team”, while shining with Pedreira and plays for Spanish under-21s.

Arbitrage and Barça on the menu

Without exaggeration, half of Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference was marked by internal arbitration issues in the Spanish League. And the other half about “rotating the team” against Sp. Braga and the “saving of players” for the reception in Barcelona (Saturday). In between, the Real Madrid coach, who arrives at Pedreira as leader of Group C with six points from two games, praised the Braga team, which “plays good football, attacks very well and scores a lot of goals”.

That is why, according to the Italian coach, it is important that the Merengues defend well and use individual qualities in attack. And without management: “No, no. That doesn’t mean they will play the same on Saturday, especially because there are some injuries. I trust everyone and then I will make the decision about the starting XI.”

In twelve years, the Whites have won the Champions League five times, a ‘special’ competition according to Ancelotti, who wants to win it for the fifth time on a personal level (2003 and 2007 with AC Milan and in 2014 and 2022, with Real Madrid) .