Real Madrid will play SC Braga in their fourth Group C match of the 2023–24 season. They will be trying to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds.

In their last European match, Real Madrid beat Portugal away from home, and they will be looking to do the same thing tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There will be extra reason to get back on track after their disappointing 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, which dropped them to second place in the table.

Four Real Madrid players—Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos, Eder Militao, and Thibaut Courtois—are hurt and can’t play in the game.

Even though Jude Bellingham has a dislocated shoulder, he has been called to the team. However, his participation will not be decided until much closer to the game.

Carlo Ancelotti wants to change up his team, but tonight he will try to put together a strong one that can get the job done.

Starting Points

Since Thibaut Courtois isn’t playing, Kepa Arrizabalaga is the clear choice in goal for Real Madrid. He will play again tonight against SC Braga.

There might be some changes in defense. Lucas Vazquez might play right back instead of Dani Carvajal. Fran Garcia, on the other hand, is likely to stay on the left side.

Antonio Rudiger will start in the middle of the defense again, even though he is banned for the La Liga game against Valencia coming up. But David Alaba might not have to play today. Instead, leader Nacho Fernandez could get the start.

Since Bellingham’s availability isn’t clear, Ancelotti may choose to use a three-man midfield unit tonight, going back to a 4-3-3 system he has used before.

Since Aurelien Tchouameni isn’t playing for Real Madrid right now, Eduardo Camavinga will continue to fill in as the defensive midfielder.

Federico Valverde has been with the Merengues the whole time. He will start against Braga as an inside midfielder, partnered by Toni Kroos since he didn’t play against Rayo over the weekend.

Kroos isn’t the only player who could be back in the starting lineup against Braga. Rodrygo Goes could also play on the right side. Vinicius Jr., who is also from Brazil, should start on the left wing, where he naturally fits best, and Joselu will lead the Real Madrid attack.

Different kinds of

A lot of people have asked Ancelotti why he hasn’t used Brahim Diaz much this season, but the Spanish player might finally get some playing time tonight against Braga.

Meanwhile, Arda Guler, who joined Real Madrid in the summer, might finally get to play his first game for the club. Nico Paz, a young star from Real Madrid’s academy, was called up to the team again and could make his start for the club.

There’s a good chance that Luka Modric, an experienced playmaker, will play in the second half as well.