Ancelotti has to choose between the unlikely hero and the underperforming Brazilian for the trip to the Quarry

At the start of the season, and even earlier during the last transfer window, it was unexpected that Joselu Mato's loan to Real Madrid from Espanyol would play such a significant role in the team's attack. Joselu wasn't brought in to replace Karim Benzema, who left the number 9 shirt vacant, but rather to provide an alternative to Mariano Diaz, who had struggled with injuries while at the club and contributed minimally in terms of goals or offensive actions.

The former Newcastle United and Stoke City flop is now a genuine option for Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League trip to the Quarry, the SC Braga's stadium carved into a stone hill.

As the season has progressed, Joselu has played in twelve games for Real Madrid, a number that few would have predicted in mid-August. Beyond the specific circumstance of Vinicius' injury, the striker, born in Stuttgart, has earned every one of his 637 minutes of play. He has scored five goals and provided two assists, making him the second-highest contributor to Real Madrid's offence in the 2023/24 season, just behind Jude Bellingham. Additionally, Joselu has maintained his place in Luis de la Fuente's Spain squad, contributing a goal and an assist in a recent international match against Cyprus despite playing only 45 minutes. In subsequent matches against Scotland and Norway, his involvement was limited.

In contrast, Joselu's teammate, Rodrygo Goes, played the full 180 minutes for Brazil in the South American World Cup qualifiers during the same FIFA international break. Despite the extended playing time, Brazil did not perform well in two matches where the Madrid forward could have made a difference. Rodrygo hasn't scored a goal since 12 August, during the first La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao. Despite clear opportunities, such as a missed penalty in a match against Celta Vigo, he hasn't been able to find the back of the net.

At this stage in the Champions League group stage, neither Joselu nor Rodrygo has opened their scoring account in the premier European competition. The Brazilian has played nearly 90 minutes in both matches (against Union Berlin and Napoli) but hasn't managed to score in a competition where he had excelled previously, including scoring two memorable goals to eliminate Manchester City in the 2021/22 semifinals, which led to Real Madrid's 14th Champions League title.

Both Joselu and Rodrygo have had their share of challenges in the Champions League. Including either player in the starting lineup is one of Carlo Ancelotti's major decisions for tonight's match in Braga. These are two players with contrasting profiles competing to partner with Vinicius, who has been a consistent presence on the left flank of the Madrid attack since recovering from injury.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Group stage - matchday 3

Tuesday

19.45: (1.33) Inter (5.70) Salzburg (10.5)

19.45: (8.00) Galatasaray (4.80) Bayern (1.45)

22.00: (1.40) Man.Utd. (5.00) Copenhagen (9.00)

22.00: (4.00) Union Berlin (3.60) Napoli (2.00)

22.00: (4.70) Sevilla (3.70) Arsenal (1.85)

22.00: (2.20) Benfica (3.45) Sociedad (3.60)

22.00: (2.45) Lens (3.50) PSV (3.00)

22.00: (6.50) Braga (4.50) Real Madrid (1.53)

Wednesday

19.45: (1.90) Feyenoord (3.70) Lazio (4.40)

19.45: (1.18) Barcelona (8.50) Shakhtar (16.0)

22.00: (1.80) PSG (3.70) Milan (5.00)

22.00: (1.80) Newcastle (3.70) Dortmund (5.00)

22.00: (3.90) Celtic (3.60) Atl.Madrid (2.05)

22.00: (15.0) Young Boys (7.25) Man.City (1.22)

22.00: (1.28) RB Leipzig (6.75) Crvena Zvezda (10.5)

22.00: (3.80) Antwerp (3.50) Porto (2.10)

***odds are subject to change