Real Madrid will play Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night as they commence the defense of their Champions League title. Real will host their opening game of their campaign, and the Spanish giants will be big favorites to claim three points from their first group game today. The game has a start time of 7.45 p.m. BST (2.45 p.m. ET) and can be watched online through live stream via the link below.

Real won their 11th European Cup title last season, claiming the crown via a penalty shootout against arch rivals Atletico Madrid.

The challenge for Real this season is immense though; no team in more than a quarter of a century has successfully defended their European Cup title, so Real will be looking to make some history by replicating the success of last season's team.

Today's game will be emotional for Cristiano Ronaldo as he lines up against the club where he started his career. Ronaldo of course learned his professional trade with Sporting Lisbon before later moving to English side Manchester United.

Ronaldo has said, "It's a special match, it's a special team. To play Sporting again is a privilege for me. I wanted to draw Sporting again because I think they have a good team, they have a good coach (Jorge Jesus) and it will be another special moment in my life."

Some questions have surrounded the fitness of Ronaldo ahead of today's game. He has not played a full 90 minutes yet since he led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title. Ronaldo was injured in the final and had to go off with a knee injury.

Whether he will play all 90 minutes in today's game remains to be seen.

Real's coach Zinedine Zidane has said ahead of the game: "I am always thinking about the 60 days he was out, which is a lot for a player. He is ready and we'll take things bit-by-bit. If you ask Cristiano he wants to play the 90 minutes."

Today's big game between Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon has a scheduled start time of 7.45 p.m. BST (2.45 p.m. ET) and can be watched online through live stream by clicking here.