Sep 14, 2016 at 7.45pm UK at ​Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid
2-1
Sporting Lisbon
Ronaldo (89'), Morata (95')
Kroos (75')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Cesar (47')
Silva (39'), Carvalho (57'), Zeegelaar (65')

Team News: Cristiano Ronaldo fit to start against former club

Cristiano Ronaldo holds up the trophy after the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on May 28, 2016
© Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo is deemed fit enough to start Real Madrid's Champions League tie against former club Sporting Lisbon.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been deemed fit enough to start Real Madrid's Champions League tie against former club Sporting Lisbon this evening.

The Portuguese international was only handed his first appearance of the campaign in Saturday's 5-2 win over Osasuna, but both he and fellow fitness doubt Karim Benzema are named in Los Blancos' XI.

Benzema's inclusion means that Alvaro Morata drops down to the bench, while Raphael Varane partners Sergio Ramos in the heart of defence, as Madrid start their journey to become the first side to ever retain the Champions League crown, 109 days after winning it with victory over rivals Atletico Madrid in Milan.

Zinedine Zidane is without the likes of Keylor Navas, Isco and Fabio Coentrao in his matchday squad, but the headline news is that Ronaldo - who spent seven years at Sporting - will feature from the off at the Bernabeu.

The visitors have made alterations of their own, meanwhile, with manager Jorge Jesus recalling Bryan Ruiz in place of Arsenal loanee Joel Campbell following Saturday's 3-0 victory over Moreirense.

Liverpool loanee Lazar Markovic is among the visitors' subs, while summer recruit Bas Dost is handed just a second start since joining the side as they aim to carry over their 13-match winning run in the Portuguese top flight onto the European stage.

Real Madrid: Casilla; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
Subs: Yanez, Pepe, James, Kovacic, Lucas Vazquez, Morata, Danilo

Sporting Lisbon: Rui Patrício; Joao Pereira, Coates, Semedo, Marvin; Carvalho, Adrien; Gelson, Bruno Cesar, Ruiz; Dost
Subs: Beto, Schelotto, Markovic, Campbell, Oliveira, Andre, Elias

Follow all of the action from the Spanish capital as it unfolds with Sports Mole's live text coverage here.

Benfica's coach Jorge Jesus gestures during the UEFA Champions League group C football match SL Benfica vs Olympiacos FC at Luz Stadium in Lisbon on October 23, 2013
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1Atletico MadridAtletico85302131818
2Real Madrid85302281418
3Sevilla85211612417
4Barcelona851226101616
5Villarreal84401441016
6Athletic Bilbao85031310315
7Las PalmasLas Palmas83321613312
8EibarEibar83231110111
9AlavesAlaves824298110
10Real Sociedad83141112-110
11Leganes8314913-410
12Celta Vigo8314916-710
13Malaga8233810-29
14Valencia83051115-49
15Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo8224510-58
16Real Betis8224918-98
17Espanyol8143914-57
18Sporting GijonSporting Gijon8215718-117
19Osasuna81341017-76
20Granada8026823-152