Real Madrid and Sevilla kick-start their Champions League challenges

The Champions League is back and the LaLiga teams are once again among the big favourites for the title. With holders Real Madrid having won this prestigious competition in two of the last three years (in 2014 and 2016) and FC Barcelona having tasted glory in between, the Spanish contingent are out to put a LaLiga Santander club's name on the trophy for the fourth straight season.

Wednesday will see Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid begin the defence of the crown they captured in May. Their first game this time round will be a particularly special occasion for Cristiano Ronaldo, as it comes against Sporting Clube de Portugal, where he learned his trade and started his career. Los Blancos have hit the ground running in LaLiga Santander and will be keen to keep up their momentum in Europe, although their opponents are also in fine form, having won all four of their matches in the Portuguese top flight.

@Cristiano: "The game against @SportingCP_en is very special for me."

https://t.co/rxYXfsfIE9#RMUCL pic.twitter.com/W0lhh7NJPK

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) September 12, 2016

Also set to grace the European stage again on Wednesday are Sevilla FC, the winners of the last three editions of the Europa League. Jorge Sampaoli's men have not been handed an easy assignment in their bid to make an impact on their return to the continent's premier club competition, as they face Juventus in Italy. The Andalusians locked horns with the Serie A champs in the group stage of last season's Champions League and lost 2-0 in Turin.