After the high of a victory in the Madrid derby, Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid will travel to Portugal to face their hero’s boyhood club Sporting CP for their group stage encounter in the Champions League this week. After the draw against Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid now have a fight in their hand if they are to finish at the top of the table. Cristiano Ronaldo will make the sentimental return to his boyhood club and will get a hero’s welcome on the night. A victory will ensure that the Spanish side will qualify for the next round and the Portuguese outfit are not expected to provide too big a threat in this game.
Here is the predicted lineup that Zidane might field for this Champions League encounter:
Team News:
The European Champions will miss the likes of Alvaro Morata, Pepe, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro for this Champions league encounter. So Zidane is expected to field a similar lineup from the game against Atletico Madrid for this trip to Portugal. Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos missed the game at the weekend but are expected to be back for this game.
Formation: 4-3-3
Keylor Navas:
The clean sheet at the weekend will give the shot-stopper a hope to have a more comfortable night in this game against Sporting CP.
Daniel Carvajal:
Put in an energetic performance at the weekend in the derby and will keep his place in the side for this trip to Portugal.
Sergio Ramos:
The power-house at the back for Real, Ramos missed the game at the weekend against Atletico Madrid watching it from the bench but will be back in action after being declared fit for this game.
Raphael Varane:
The French star had a superb game at the back against the likes of Griezmann at the weekend and will hope to have a more comfortable game in defense on this trip to Portugal.
Marcelo:
The Brazilian had a fruitful game on the wing at both ends of the field at the weekend and he will keep his place in the squad for this game.
Mateo Kovacic:
The former Inter Milan midfielder showed his class in the Madrid derby and he will play a similar role in this game for Real Madrid against Sporting.
Luka Modric:
The Croatian was at his best against Atletico Madrid dominating the midfield in a game away from home and he should keep his place in the side for this game.
James Rodriguez:
Came in too late in the game at the weekend to have an impact but he should get back into the starting XI as a first choice for Zidane in the Champions League.
Gareth Bale:
The Welsh international put in a splendid performance against Atleti, picking up an assist and tormenting the defence and should keep his place in the side for this game.
Karim Benzema:
Having got around 10 minutes under his belt at the weekend, the French striker should be back into the starting XI leading the attack for this game against Sporting CP.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
After a hat-trick in the derby, the Portuguese international will return to his homeland to play against his boyhood club in a sentimental game in which he could easily make a big impact.