Almaty -Real Madrid takes a long, unprecedented trip to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Kazakhstan joined UEFA in 2002 having previously competed in the Asian Football Confederation. The western part of Kazakhstan is geographically part of Europe, but Madrid – the record 15-time European champion – is traveling to the country’s capital in the east, nearly 4,000 miles (6,500 kilometers) from the Spanish capital.

“You have to adapt, it’s not a question of whether the trip bothers you or not,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said. “It’s just another game, and the trip is neither an impediment nor an excuse.”

Madrid, which defeated Marseille 2-1 in its opening game, will hope to bounce back from a chastening 5-2 loss at city rival Atlético Madrid in La Liga on

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