Ronaldo, who started his football career in Sporting will definitely be geared up on the idea of playing against his former club and leave a mark on the game as well as the Portuguese fans on the club.
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“I always think about the 60 days he was out for, which is a lot for a player, this competition is very tough”.
Zidane replaced Rafael Benitez as head coach of Los Blancos on January 4 and led the team to an 11th Champions League title last season, in addition to running Barcelona close for the La Liga title. “But think positive – that it’s possible to win it again”.
Ronaldo moved from his family home in Madeira to Sporting’s academy at the age of 12 and spent one season in the first team, scoring five times in 30 appearances in all competitions before joining United in 2003.
Both of the clubs have started the season on a high note, maintaining a flawless record – Sporting are leading the Primeira Liga as the only side so far to win all four matches, while Real Madrid did the similar in La Liga after three rounds.
Cristiano Ronaldo believes Real Madrid is capable of becoming the first team to successfully defend the Champions League. “What I really want is to keeping moving forward and to end my career here”.
“I’m always thinking about the two months he was out because that’s a long time for a player.(but) he’s ready, we’ll see what happens”. Newspaper Marca reported last week that Zidane’s plan was for Ronaldo to be eased back in gradually, indicating that he would play 70 minutes against Sporting, but the coach has now said the intention is for Ronaldo to complete the game. The first Polish team to play in the Champions League in 20 years, Legia Warsaw entertain Dortmund.
All eyes will be on Cristiano as he faces his old club and after a good showing on Saturday he is expected to start.
Real will win this; however, the fact that they have not kept a clean sheet in three league fixtures this term while Sporting have won each of their first four Primeira Division games makes backing a home win with goals for both teams and +3.5 goals overall appeal at 6/4 and 5/6. Or can Sporting Lisbon put a chink in the armor of the UEFA Champions League titlists in their opening match of the competition?
“He is ready to play, he wants to play and this is good”.
Sporting CP now hold an early lead in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, having managed to maintain a ideal start to their campaign with four wins from four, scoring eight and only conceding a solitary goal in the process. Sporting Lisbon match legally and for free on Sling TV, by signing up for a seven-day free trial of the Sling “Blue” or “Orange” plans.
‘There is plenty more to come from Ronaldo. About 10 of us lived in a room inside the Sporting Lisbon stadium.
“I’m sure this is a special moment for him because it’s his club, that’s where he learned, it is normal that the game is special for him”.
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“Being in the Champions League comes with the job”.
