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Both teams ambitious in the most intense game of the round

Braga won all three games at home, and Benfica all three away. Their opponents were about the same, so this will be the biggest test for both of them

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Braga's fans didn't have a chance to see their club in European competitions this season, but it seems they enjoy the new Braga, shaped according to the coach Sergio Conceicao's leadership. They seem to be far more satisfied with him than his predecessors. Braga are far more proactive in home matches this season, and they played against Estoril and Rio Ave, the Portuguese clubs that play in Europe. They defeated both of them at home, but away games still remain to be a problem. After a tie against Nacional, they came back from Porto defeated, but the impression they left was really good. 

- We expect to continue doing what we've been doing lately, and I want my players to play like they did in Dragao where we played a good game despite the result. We created more goal chances than the opponent, but we didn't realize them. Besides, we're playing on our own stadium where we're always good, and we're motivated to give another good show. Benfica are similar to how they've been last season, but they're a strong team individually. Jorge Jesus is a great coach, I'd buy him a lunch if I saw him on a street, but here, we're opponents - Conceciao said.

Braga don't have absences issues because only the left back Djavan is out, he played three times this season. 

Benfica aren't doing really well in the Champions League this season, but they're 4 points ahead of Porto after seven rounds of championship. That advantage got a bit smaller last night because Porto won their game for this round last night. So, now the move is on Jorge Jesus, who says this away game against his former club will be as intensive is it would be if this was a Champions League game. 

This is also the biggest test for the Eagles since their derby against Sporting. They didn't have a tougher away game than this one, at least on paper. They occasionally lost here in the past, and out of 12 away games in Braga, they celebrated only three times. 

- Two things are especially important in the calendar this season, the championship and the Champions League, two most important competitions out of four we're playing. Almost all the opponents and all the games are big, they require big effort and hard work, but Champions League games are far more exhausting mentally and physically compared to 4-5 games like that in the national championship. One of those 4-5 is definitely this one in Braga - Jesus said before the match.

Lima will play his 150th game in the Portuguese league, but it's not definite he'll be playing because Jonas stood out by scoring three goals in the Cup. He can't play the CL, but many see him in the starting eleven tonight, because the guests are still without a few injured players.