Milan provide serious test for confident Braga

Having come into the group stage as favourites to win the competition, AC Milan host SC Braga in their first Group E game at San Siro, but the Portuguese side have reason to feel optimistic after some great results.

• Braga started their European season in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and have compiled a stunning record in continental competitions in 2008/09, with coach Jorge Jesus noting with pride: "We have won all seven of our matches in Europe this season, scored 17 goals and not conceded." Milan have won all three of their UEFA club competition ties this season, scoring seven goals but conceding two.

• Jesus had not overseen a victory in European club competition until this season. He competed in Europe with CF Estrela da Amadora in 1998 and CF Os Belenenses last term but bowed out without winning a game in either campaign.

• Braga have played three away games in Europe this season and won all of them 2-0.

• This is Milan and Braga's first meeting in UEFA club competition.

• Milan have played 17 games against Portuguese opposition over the years, winning nine, drawing six and losing two. Three of those games have been European finals.

• Milan beat SL Benfica 2-1 at Wembley to win the 1962/63 European Champion Clubs' Cup final and beat the same opponents 1-0 in Vienna to win the 1989/90 competition. More recently, they won 1-0 against FC Porto in the 2003 UEFA Super Cup.

• In seven games against Portuguese sides at San Siro they have won five and lost two.

• Braga have played four games against Serie A sides winning three and losing one. Their record in Italy reads won one and lost one. Their most recent tie against Italian opponents saw them win 1-0 in both legs of a 2006/07 UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie against Parma FC.

• Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti's first games in European club management were against Portuguese opposition. His Parma FC side beat Vitória SC 2-1 at home in the first round of the 1996/97 UEFA Cup, but lost the return leg 2-0 in Guimaraes.

• He also played in two defeats against Portuguese sides while a midfielder at AS Roma.

• Braga forward Albert Meyong can boast some knowledge of Italian football having started his career in Europe at Ravenna Calcio in 1998/99.

• Milan won 3-1 at SC Heerenveen on Matchday 1, with a Calvin Jong-A-Pin own goal, a Gennaro Gattuso strike and Filippo Inzaghi's record-breaking 64th goal in UEFA club competition earning them three points. Braga won 3-0 at home against Portsmouth FC, with Luis Aguiar, Rentería and Alan on target.

• Inzaghi's goal was also Milan's 100th in the UEFA Cup.

• VfL Wolfsburg are at home against Heerenveen in Matchday 2's other Group E game. Portsmouth are the only team in the section not in action on Thursday.