UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Braga like it hot in Galatasaray cauldron

Galatasaray AŞ's fans helped bring the best out of SC Braga in Istanbul, with Player Rater winner Rúben Micael telling UEFA.com: "I wish every stadium had an atmosphere like this."

Braga like it hot in Galatasaray cauldron
Braga like it hot in Galatasaray cauldron ©UEFA.com

The Galatasaray AŞ fans impressed Rúben Micael, but his SC Braga side were not overawed as they struck twice on the break to win in Istanbul – testimony, their players agreed, to the importance of doing your homework. Galatasaray's forwards, meanwhile, could not fault their team-mates' efforts, yet know they must start finding the target against CFR 1907 Cluj if they are to progress from Group H.

Rúben Micael, Braga midfielder
It means a lot to me to be UEFA.com Player Rater winner, but everybody who saw tonight's game will confirm that this was very much a group effort. We were very organised, and we only managed to score twice because we defended really tight. That's where it all starts. When you're playing here at Galatasaray, you know there will be pressure from the home team, not to mention the incredible support they get from their fans. These fans set an example for the whole world to see. I wish every stadium had an atmosphere like this one here tonight in Istanbul.

Douglão, Braga defender
All week we studied Galatasaray – how they play, their strong points, how to play against them, how to exploit their weaknesses. In the end that seemed to pay off, looking at how the game went, and the result is very much what we had hoped for. Of course, I'm looking forward to the double-header against Manchester United, but first we need to focus on the Portugese league. Our next game is on Sunday, coming up fast.

Umut Bulut, Galatasaray forward
I'm sure it would have been different if we had scored the opening goal. Obviously, this result is a huge disappointment for us, but I do believe all the players went for it and gave 100%. Anything less would be an insult to the wonderful fans we have, who supported us throughout the game. As far as the competition is concerned, we'll take it game by game, but everybody understands that the next match against CFR Cluj is of massive importance. We got off to a bad start, but there are still 12 points to be won. Nothing is impossible.

Johan Elmander, Galatasaray forward
It was a hard game, because they were waiting for us to attack, hoping to surprise us on the counter. They did that twice, so from their point of view they had a good game. We can't be happy. We know what we need to do in the games to come – and that is to score goals. If you don't score goals, you'll never win. Of course, we didn't plan to lose, but our ambition remains unchanged, and that is to proceed to the next round.

Selected for you