After raising the curtain on their Europa League campaign at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, 1. FC Union Berlin will play their first away match in Group D. On Thursday, 15.09.2022, Union will face SC Braga at the city's Estádio Municipal. Kick-off is at 21:00 German time.

And if Union are relative novices on this level, Braga have seen a thing or two before.

The opponents

Sporting Clube de Braga can look back on a history rich in tradition, celebrating their 100th anniversary last year. So, it's worth a little look back. They always played in green and white jerseys until the 1945/46 season. However, the president at the time, José Antunes Guimarães, had contacts in London and was a big fan of Arsenal. So he decided to change colours and today the team still plays in similar red and white jerseys.

They are not a club garlanded with great success, though their first Portuguese cup win in 1966 remains notable having knocked out Bela Guttmann's Benfica, which included several members of that years' world cup squad including the great Eusebio, in the semi-final. They wouldn't win another for exactly 50 years, adding another in 2020/21.

It was against another great Portuguese side their biggest disappointment came against, when they lost to FC Porto in the UEFA Cup final of 2011.

In terms of play, Sporting Braga have been particularly dangerous up front this season. With 21 goals after six games, the Braguistas have scored the most goals in the Portuguese league so far. Coach, Artur Jorge's enthusiasm for dynamism in the game can also be seen in the fact that twelve of his players have already scored this year.

Two players in particular stand out in Braga's attack, however. Mainstay, Ricardo Horta - who has been at the club since 2016 - has scored seven times already this season. And Braga's record signing has also made an impact. Striker, Simon Banza moved to the north of Portugal from French first division club RC Lens and has already scored five times in his four league games, as well as setting up a further two goals. Banza is currently the top scorer in the Portuguese league.

The personnel

Head coach Urs Fischer will have to do without the injured Danilho Doekhi and the sick Morten Thorsby, just as he did against FC Köln. In addition, Sven Michel is suspended after his sending-off near the end of the match against Saint-Gilloise. Goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow, who had to miss the Köln game with a slight injury, will be available again.

The coach's, and Diogo's views on the match 

"Braga have started the season really successfully," said Urs Fischer in his press conference on Thursday. "They've an experienced team, try to pack the middle of the pitch, and are well organised. Apart from that they've a few players who can be decisive. It'll be a difficult testa, but of course we'll try find solutions to these problems."

Diogo Leite meanwhile says "I'm very happy to be back in my homeland, and to play here. I would say I've a small advantage, because I know most of the players from my time here. Tomorrow we'll see if that counts for anything."

Braga head coach Atur Jorge said "It'll be a match with great intensity. We must remain focussed an dtíck to our mission." 

At least 2,600 Unioner will be in the impressive Stadion Municipal ot Thursday, 1,500 of whom have flown on the planes chartered by the club itself Further information about the game can be found here.

The match will be broadcast live on RTL+. As usual, Union will also provide information on the match in the club's own live ticker, and in English on Twitter.