No team has ever won back to back title in the Champions League since the format changed. This is the new challenge Real Madrid have to face in their favourite competition. Two titles in only three years and the possibility to lift their 12nd Champions League title in Cardiff. But Zinedine Zidane only wants to think in the following game and the first step is Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese side is the leader of the Liga Sagres after winning all four games, including a big clash against Porto. Jorge Jesús is the coach who has lead Sporting Lisbon to the second place in the last Portuguese league. This year, despite of losing some of the most important players like Joao Mario, the team will try to step forward and fight for the title in the Liga Sagres.
For this reason, Zinedine Zidane doesn’t trust the Portuguese side and will put in the field the best team possible. Cristiano Ronaldo will play all the game, as Zidane has confirmed in the press conference, and it will be a very special game for the striker. He will face again his former and beloved team after playing the first game of the season last Saturday, scoring one goal.
Casemiro, James Rodríguez and Marcelo are also back to the list after missing the last game in La Liga. All three could rest after the international games but we’ll have to wait to see if the Colombian playmaker will have an opportunity to show his class. Isco and Asensio won’t play any minute because both are out of the list, together with Mariano and Nacho.
Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon met in 2000 in the Champions League group stage. Then, Los Blancos thrashed 4-0 Sporting at the Bernabeu stadium but they only could draw in Portugal. It’s very important to earn the three points in the first game as Real Madrid have a tough group with Borussia Dortmund and Legia Warsaw.
Real Madrid possible XI: Casilla; Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Bale, Cristiano and Benzema.
Sporting Lisbon possible XI: Rui Patricio, Zeegelar, Semedo, Coates, Pereira; Adrien Silva, Carvalho, Bruno César, Martins; Alan Ruiz and Dost.
