Preview
Real Madrid, the most successful club in UEFA Champions League history, resume their campaign for a 14th European title this Tuesday, taking on Sheriff Tiraspol on Matchday 2 of the 2021/22 season. These two sides will locks horns at the Bernabeu Stadium at 3 p.m. ET in what should be an interesting Group D encounter.
Los Blancos kicked off their campaign in perfect fashion two weeks ago, beating Serie A champions Inter Milan in the opening round. Ancelotti's men did have to wait until the final minutes for the winning goal, with Rodrygo netting in the 88th minute to hand his side the three points.
Things were made all the more sweater by the clean sheet, with David Alaba and Co. successfully defending their goal from a Lautaro Martinez-led attack. Keeping thins tight at the back will be key for Real Madrid given the departure of both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane over the summer, the two center-backs at the heart of the club's three successive Champions League wins in 2017, 2017, and 2018.
In La Liga, while the Spanish giants have endured a bump or two, Benzema and Co. have enjoyed a strong start for the most part. They currently sit top of the table after seven games, picking up 17 points from a possible 21. However, they boast a mere one-point lead at the top—second-placed Real Sociedad sit on 16 points—and enter this game on the back of a disappointing goalless draw with Villarreal.
Regardless, Real Madrid are expected to win this fixture but given their recent struggles at home in Europe, Ancelotti's side would be mistaken to take this fixture lightly. Sheriff, who are the champions of Moldovia, head into this clash on the back of an impressive 2-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the opening round, a result which has them top of the table due to a superior goal difference over Los Merengues.
Yuriy Vernydub's, however, did not start their campaign two weeks ago. Instead, they were forced to secure their ticket via the playoffs, having to beat the likes of Teuta Durres, Alashkert, Red Star Belgrade and Dinamo Zagreb to make it this far. Victory at the Bernabeu would eclipse all those previous performances, though. Can they pull off an upset against the 13-time champions? Tune in to find out.
Team news
Real Madrid: A number of players are out for the Spanish giants, with Mendy, Bale, Ceballos, and Carvajal all being on the sidelines. Kroos and Marcelo could make their return; however, this could come off the bench. Camavinga will be keen on a start alongside Casemiro and Modric while Eden Hazard will be eyeing a spot in the attack alongside top scorer Karim Benzema.
Sheriff: Lovro Bizjak is the visitors' only absentee, with the Slovenian forward missing out due to a foot injury.
Key stats
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Real Madrid have scored in all but one of their last 37 group stage home games.
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However, in their last 12 European home fixtures, Los Blancos have managed only five wins, losing on four occasions.
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Sheriff Tiraspol have managed only one win in their last 12 away games (D5, L6) in Europe excluding qualifiers.
Broadcast listings
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
