After a relatively straightforward victory at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, Real Madrid arrive in Lisbon ready to play what amounts to a final with sky high morale but with their feet planted firmly on the ground. In order for a safe passage into the knockout rounds of the Champions League to be assured, Los Blancos need to be on their guard against a side who already caused them many problems during the first match in Madrid. If Sporting were to win, Zinedine Zidane's players would theoretically have to beat Borussia Dortmund on the final day of the group stage to ensure qualification, a scenario that no one at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu wants to contemplate. Cristiano Ronaldo will surely experience a night of many emotions in Portugal but his goals, and victory, are needed.Madrid's trip to play Sporting CP in Lisbon is one of the glamour fixtures of matchday five of Champions League group stage action and millions will be tuning in to the Estadio Jose Alvalade from around the globe.
Not only will the stadium be sold out to its 50,000-capacity, with 1,500 fans of Los Blancos having made the journey across the border, but television channels in more than 60 countries will be broadcasting the match live. With 26 TV and radio commentary positions, 64 photographers and 221 members of the press, there will be over 300 media professionals working at the match. It is not only an important night for Zinedine Zidane, whose side can secure qualification to the knockout rounds with a draw, but the match will also be extra special for Cristiano Ronaldo, who returns to his former club and will be wearing customised boots to mark his homecoming. The action from the Portuguese capital kicks off at 20:45 CET.
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