Zinedine Zidane has played down suggestions that his Real Madrid team are the favourites for the Champions League this season.
The Spanish giants overcame Atletico Madrid in the 2016 final to win their 11th European Cup and claim the crown for the second time in the last three seasons.
Alongside Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Real Madrid are once again considered as the favourites for the competition, but Zidane only wants to focus on his team's opening group match against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night.
"I wouldn't say we are favourites. There are a lot of teams who can win it. You have to compete, you have to play. We are ready and we have a tough game against a good footballing side who will turn up looking to put in a good performance," Zidane told reporters.
"Being in the Champions League comes with the job. The players know the objective out on the pitch is to always win. If we're taking part in a game it is to win. It's to advance, to go further, to improve.
"We know it's not meant to be easy. In fact, it will be harder than last season because whenever you go to play at a stadium against any team you are the defending champions. I think every single game will be tough, starting with Wednesday night's fixture."
Real Madrid are looking to become the first team since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 to win back-to-back European Cups.
Matt Law
