Braga have the daunting task of trying to subdue two of Europe’s finest frontmen when the Portuguese minnows visit Old Trafford for today’s Champions League Group H clash.
Van Persie’s lack of match practice and an injury to Rooney meant the pair has played together only fleetingly in the opening weeks of the season.
“We are definitely getting more of an understanding,” said van Persie. “We like to play together and work well together.”
However, manager Sir Alex Ferguson will not take Braga for granted as they won 2-0 at Galatasaray in their last group fixture and are currently on a five-match unbeaten run against English opposition.
“Braga have become the third best team in Portugal. They drew 2-2 at Benfica, played really well and should have won,” said Ferguson. “We won’t be taking anything for granted.”
Barca seek to stay strong against Celtic
Barcelona entertain Celtic tomorrow looking to maintain their winning start to Champions League Group G with an in-form Lionel Messi but the Catalans continue to struggle at the back with injuries.
Barca are in pole position after back-to-back victories and can now take a significant step towards qualifying for the last-16 if they come out on top against Celtic who managed a surprise win away to Spartak Moscow in their last game to leave them second on four points.
Celtic warmed up for the clash with a 5-0 victory over St Mirren and manager Neil Lennon then flew to watch Barca in action against Deportivo.
“It will be great if we can get something out of the match but it won’t be great if we lose the game,” said Lennon.
“I’m taking a pragmatic approach and we are not going to get carried away by the surroundings. The players have to go there and compete and do themselves justice.”
Unbeaten Shakhtar await Chelsea’s play
Chelsea have vowed to persist with the dashing football that has taken them four points clear in the Premier League, ahead of today’s trip to in-form Shakhtar Donetsk.
“If you win and you can play as we played at Tottenham, that is the best way to play,” said man-of-the-match Juan Mata after their 4-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
“We are playing well and we are all enjoying this moment. What we need to do is keep training hard and now we play Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine and we want to stay at the top of our group in the Champions League.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2012.
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