Two clubs chasing UEFA Champions League glory will do battle today in a match between Sporting Lisbon and NK Maribor. The group-stage clash scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET will be held at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon and can be live streamed here free. Additional TV coverage can be found on Fox Soccer Plus.
What They're Saying
Sporting Lisbon manager Marco Silva (via UEFA): "This game demands a lot of patience, as they are dangerous opponents. In 10 matches in UEFA competition this season, they have lost only once, in London against Chelsea. We must be fully focused for 90 minutes at this level. We don't need to hide the fact that it's a high-pressure match for us. It's the reality. We respect Maribor, but we must boss the game. It won't be easy, far from it."
NK Maribor manager Ante Simundza: "The first 20 minutes will be key against opponents who are ambitious and will put pressure on us from the very start. Sporting are favorites, a big and a great club. We are braced for a real examination by them. They are at home and because of it, the pressure on them will be greater. I want my team to be aggressive and competitive."
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Sporting Lisbon's Nani has enjoyed great success since joining the club on loan from Manchester United. In four Champions League appearances, the 28-year-old has three goals and an assist.
Sporting Lisbon's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Patrício; Cédric, Sarr, Paulo Oliveira, Jefferson; Adrien, João Mário, André Martins; Mané, Nani, Slimani
NK Maribor's' Projected Lineup (4-4-2): Handanovič; Stojanovič, Rajčevič, Arghus, Mejač; Mertelj, Filipović, Sallalich, Bohar; Tavares, Ibraimi
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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