UEFA Champions League 2016-17: Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting CP - 5 talking points

Real Madrid turned the screw at the death as they beat an impressive Sporting side 2-1 at home despite being overwhelmed for large spells of the game in the Champions League.

The reigning champions were expected to sail through the tie, but the Portuguese visitors tore the script apart with a confident display as Bruno Cesar gave Sporting an unexpected yet deserving lead early in the second period, much to the home fans’ dismay.

Los Blancos, who were second best for most of the evening, grew into the game post the final quarter and finally got the equaliser through Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick in the penultimate minute before Alvaro Morata headed home the winner deep in stoppage time.

It. was a victory they hardly deserved and Sporting CP were left ruing their luck. Here are the major talking points from the game.

1) Madrid make unimpressive start to their title defence

Gareth Bale was just one of the few players who did not perform to their best for Real

Having won their second European crown in three years back in May, Real Madrid are one of the favourites to go all the way this year too. However, the road to Cardiff certainly won’t be easy this time on the evidence of the loopholes that exist in the team.

What should’ve been a cakewalk today, ended in a great escape. The Meringues were visibly below their best and toiled to get the better of a spirited Lions. Despite having the famed’ BBC trio start upfront, they lacked the attacking flair that they normally exude, whereas the defence wasn't up to the mark.

Time and again the visitors rode their luck from the wings and troubled their glamorous opponents with some dangerous crosses into the area. Whilst fortune played a part in keeping the scoreline nil-nil at the break, Real Madrid were finally punished for their lax defending when Bruno Cesar found the breakthrough in the 47th minute. Ronaldo and co. were alarmed, and it wasn’t until the final 15 minutes when they began to show signs of life.

The superior quality in the team put Real through eventually, but this is no way an ideal start to their title defence.