Champions League preview: Braga v Arsenal

Arsenal face Sporting Braga on Tuesday needing just a point to all but secure their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

With both sides bringing questionable form from their respective domestic leagues to the Estadio AXA, the first ever meeting between the teams in Portugal will be seen as a chance to rebound from recent league losses.

Braga have lost their past two games in Liga Sagres, while Arsenal uncharacteristically let a two-goal lead slide before succumbing 3-2 to north London rivals Tottenham at the weekend.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects a far sterner challenge from the hosts, after his side thrashed Braga 6-0 in their opening group encounter at the Emirates.

“We will try to win in Portugal for the first time, but Braga are a good team so we expect them to put on a good display,” Wenger said.

“I believe Braga will forget the result from our first meeting. A game away from home in the Champions League is a different game than at home.”

“Braga have a good side that impressed me in the first 20 minutes of the home game.”

“As for our team, we know that if we play at our best we can win anywhere.”

Despite their poor domestic form, Braga have performed admirably in the Champions League this season and sit on six points in the group standings, just three behind leaders Arsenal who also have a considerably stronger goal difference.

And with a knockout stages berth very much on their radar, coach Domingos Pacienca urged his players to take the game to Wenger’s side.

“We have to face the English with a very positive mindset and although we know the value of their team and players, we still think that we have what it takes to win,” Pacienca said.

“I always think that it’s possible to win, even if we know that it’s against one of the best teams in the world, and I want to believe our fans will live a historic moment here.”