Real Madrid left it really late in their Group F Champions League opener, as they came from behind to score two goals in the last five minutes to pull off a win. Earlier in the game, Sporting had taken the lead trough a low shot from Bruno Cesar, which gave the away side an unlikely lead.
Speaking to the media after the game, Cristiano Ronaldo was heard saying, “This is what Real Madrid is all about and comebacks like these form part of the mystique of this stadium -- but this needs to be a warning for the future”. Ronaldo was on the scoresheet on the night, denying his boyhood club a win, courtesy a delightful free-kick.
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"We can't be as soft as we were because teams will walk all over us. For me, Sporting's performance was not a surprise." added the Real Madrid star.
The Portuguese scored his 95th goal in the Champions League and is nine ahead of his nearest rival Lionel Messi. The Barcelona player had hit a hat-trick against hapless Celtic in their opening group fixture. Ronaldo may have played a huge role in his team’s victory but he accepted that he couldn’t celebrate in the manner he wanted as it was against a team which had helped him reach his current status.
"I couldn't celebrate it. This is the team that made me who I am and I have too much respect for them. They'll always be in my heart," he added.
Also read: Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting CP - 5 talking points
Ronaldo had started his career with Sporting Lisbon, before being prised away by then Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, after his side clashed against the then teenage Ronaldo’s Sporting Lisbon. After a successful time at Manchester United, he moved to Real Madrid.
A slow start for Madrid in the Champions League
Real Madrid looked sluggish and it was only after the introduction of Lucas Vazquez, Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez in place of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos respectively that Madrid started playing more fluently. The first half was one to forget as Madrid looked disjointed at times. Lisbon also gave a good account of themselves as, William Carvalho who has been linked with Premier League clubs Chelsea and Liverpool, kept the game ticking.
At the end of the game, both coaches shared their views with Zidane complimenting the substitutes and stating that he had many players in the squad who could make a difference. Jorge Jesus, on the other hand, was left grumbling as he felt his tactical game plan came unstuck against the magic of Ronaldo.
Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo: 10 improbable technically challenging feats
Speaking to the reporters, at the end of the game, he was heard praising the Portuguese, “Cristiano's goal was a great goal. He is the best player in the world.” The reigning champions also have Borussia Dortmund and Legia Warsaw in their group, with Dortmund leading the group on goal difference.
