Real Madrid returns to its favorite competition, where it can leave its pass to the round of 16 practically on track if it wins today in Braga and for once the Champions League does not seem the most important thing for the white club, which arrives in Portugal in the week of the tangled classic more than ever in their arbitration complaints. In the last few hours, Carlo Ancelotti has joined them, who until now did not seem very comfortable in the ranks of the victimhood that Real Madrid Tv fuels with fury, the battering ram with which the club attacks the refereeing establishment every day.
With the Champions League almost in the background, Ancelotti dedicated himself yesterday in Braga to defending Real Madrid TV with the argument of freedom of expression and hid behind the lack of it to not talk about the referees so as not to incur punishment.
Madrid arrives in Braga with two victories in the group. Against Union Berlin at the Bernabéu and against Napoli at home. The most difficult thing seems done. The team's dynamic was cut short on Saturday in Seville, where they only managed a draw in a match that they could have either won or lost.
The unknown today in Portugal is to what extent there will be rotations taking into account that Barcelona awaits Saturday in Montjuïc. The Italian coach came to say that there will be some to give breaks and distribute efforts, but they will not be massive. The team's column will be the same, with Jude Bellingham at the top of the diamond in a state of grace. The Englishman has ten goals between the league and the Champions League and the team has only not won when he has not scored (Metropolitano and Sánchez Pizjuán).
The big doubt up front for the whites may be in Vinícius's companion. Rodrygo hasn't scored since his league debut and he seems more and more disappointed. Joselu could have a chance at him. Also Brahim, but the man from Malaga does not seem to be very liked by Ancelotti. Finally, Arda Güler has not traveled either.
This is the first time that Real Madrid and Braga, known in Portugal as the 'Minho warriors', face each other, a team that has its best player in the Valencian trained at La Masia Abel Ruiz.
Braga is fourth in its league, but is coming off a surprise in the Champions League by beating Union Berlin in Germany (2-3). On the first day they were beaten at home by Naples (1-4), so winning today's classification would not be a dream.
The goal is not a problem for Braga, who has their main scorer in the Congolese Simon Banza. It also has a former La Fabrica player, Bruma, or Ricardo Horta, who played for Málaga and Real Sociedad. His right back is the Spanish Víctor Gómez, absent since the end of September due to problems in his left thigh. Braga has a reputation in Portugal for being a somewhat cold fan.
