Real Madrid travel to Transnistria this evening to take on Sheriff Tiraspol in the Champions League. Madrid were top of Group D going into the game, two points ahead of second-placed Inter, three clear of Sheriff and eight clear of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Madrid are performing well under Carlo Ancelotti this season, pairing their European success with domestic joy. They’re top of La Liga with 30 points from their opening 13 matches, a point clear of Real Sociedad and two clear of Sevilla. Sheriff are second in the Moldovan National Division, a point behind Petrocub, and actually beat Madrid 2-1 in the reverse fixture.
Madrid went into the game expecting nothing less than three points, and they certainly got off to a good start. David Alaba , a summer signing from Bayern Munich to replace Paris Saint-Germain-bound Sergio Ramos, fired them into a 30th minute lead, finding a gap in the wall with a smart free-kick.
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