Zidane's inspired changes rescue Real Madrid as Ronaldo & Morata leave it late

Second best and subdued for long periods, the European champions came from behind to beat Sporting as the substitutes all proved effective


For many, the jury is still out on Zinedine Zidane. The argument remains that he has yet to prove himself as a coach at this level, despite winning the Champions League last season. But against Sporting CP on Wednesday night, his substitutions changed the course of the game for Real Madrid.

Playing their first Champions League match since winning the trophy at San Siro on May 28, Madrid started slowly. Karim Benzema was back in the team, but still seemed short of full fitness and the whole team was strangely subdued. Cristiano Ronaldo, too, is still some way short of his peak condition after injury and Gareth Bale ended up with an injury.
By contrast, Sporting were impressive. Despite losing both Joao Mario and Islam Slimani in the summer, the Lisbon side stood tall at the Santiago Bernabeu, attacking with pace and gusto as winger Gelson Martins proved a constant threat. And when they took the lead through Bruno Cesar after 47 minutes, it was what they deserved.
And 40 minutes later, they were still ahead - apparently heading for a famous victory. But Madrid have been here before many times and so often Los Blancos find a way back into the game - just as they had in the final of the Champions League in 2013-14 with Sergio Ramos' late leveller and again in the UEFA Super Cup last month with another last-minute equaliser from their captain.