Sporting Braga will face Real Madrid in Portugal on Tuesday for the third matchday of the UEFA Champions League. Cristian Borja is expected to start.
The home team has the chance to finish first in Group C, although they need to defeat Real Madrid by two goals and hope Napoli doesn't win against Union Berlin. Sporting Braga has won their last five matches, including an away victory against the German team in the continental tournament.
Artur Jorge's team is currently in fourth place in the Primeira Liga in Portugal with 16 points, and in the third position in Group C of the UEFA Champions League with 3 points.
Sporting Braga's last defeat was precisely in the European competition as they lost 2-1 at home against Napoli, with the winning goal for the Italian team coming in the 88th minute.
Colombian Cristian Borja was included in the squad by coach Artur Jorge and is expected to start against Real Madrid, as he has been part of the defensive line in Champions League matches.
The defender was not present in Braga's last match against Rebordosa, a game that ended with a 2-0 victory in the third round of the Taca de Portugal.
He was also a substitute in the league match against Rio Ave. He also did not play for the Colombian National Team in the second matchday of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the matches against Uruguay and Ecuador.
"Our ambition leads us to believe that it is possible to hurt this opponent. If we are effective, we can score and try to surprise them. It is a very special match and it will go down in Braga's history," said coach Artur Jorge.
The coach did not hide that the team will take a defensive approach to close the paths to the Real Madrid side and not concede many goals.
"We will have a very strong defensive block, with coverings, narrowing spaces for a team that likes to have them and can create them, and has individuals who can make the difference. I sincerely believe that it is possible to make history," insisted the Portuguese coach.
Possible lineups
Braga: Matheus; Borja, Niakaté, Serdar Saatçi, Mendes; Al Musrati, Zalazar; Bruma, Álvaro Djaló, Ricardo Horta, Banza.
Real Madrid: Kepa; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Joselu, Vinicius Júnior.