Shakhtar test timely for Paulo César's Braga

With his side beaten 6-0 at Arsenal FC on Matchday 1, SC Braga winger Paulo César hoped their next UEFA Champions League Group H opponents FC Shakhtar Donetsk would be a bit closer to "our level".

The Portuguese club's group stage debut proved an inauspicious occasion as Arsène Wenger's team served them a footballing lesson in north London. Even so, Brazilian Paulo César says his side have not been overly consumed by disappointment as they prepare to take on the Ukrainian champions at the picturesque Estádio Municipal de Braga.

"The boys are calm, we know what we have to do, and we are sure and completely confident in our own quality and capabilities," said the 30-year-old. "Home games in the Champions League are of massive importance and we have to win ours. Braga have always been strong at home, always a tough team to beat, and we expect a great result in our debut match here."

A veteran of 23 UEFA competition games with UD Leiria and Braga, Paulo César nonetheless recognises that Tuesday's encounter will be no stroll. "We know it's going to be a tough match, but we also know we have what it takes to win," he said. "What we have to do is make no mistakes and keep them under pressure."

Braga are known in Portugal for their creativity and attacking style; something they got little chance to showcase against Arsenal. However, when Shakhtar come to 'The Quarry', Paulo César feels the hosts will have more opportunities to dazzle. "Shakhtar are a great team – they're Ukrainian champions for a reason – but we are sure they're at our level," he said.