Real Madrid will host Shakhtar Donetsk at Bernabeu on matchday 4 of the UCL group stage. Los Blancos put on a 5-star performance when these two teams met previously in Kyiv and will be hoping to do the same at home.
The 13-time European champion will be coming into the fixture after winning 2-1 against Elche at the weekend, where the team looked to be composed and was excellent on the ball.
Carlo Ancelloti will have to make some changes in the lineup as he will be without the services of Rodrygo on the right-wing. Mariano Diaz also picked an unfortunate blow on his nose and will also be missing from the squad. Gareth Bale, Dani Ceballos, and Federico Valverde will all be on the sidelines because of injuries.
The Italian boss said that he knows the opposition very well and will come up with a good strategy in the encounter and move top of the group.
Ancelloti can use the ‘4-4-2’ formation by playing Asensio as the attacking midfielder or continue with the ‘4-3-3’ formation as usual.
Here is our predicted Real Madrid XI for the game against Alaves:-
Goalkeeper:- Thibaut Courtois
The Belgian international is exceptional between the sticks and doesn’t seem to need any rest. Courtois is one of the key players in the squad and will continue to feature in the lineup for all the crucial fixtures.
Defenders:- Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal
Ancelloti rested both the fullbacks in the previous game to keep them fresh midweek. The Manager was full of praise for the fullbacks and said they are going to play a decisive role in the game.
Alaba and Militao can continue to play at the back as the duo is trusted by the coach. The Austrian is the leader at the back and can make some threatening offensive runs in the opposition’s box. Militao is unshakeable at the back and always provides aerial threat during set-pieces.
Midfielders:- Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric
The iconic midfield trio of Kroos-Casemiro-Modric can operate from the middle of the park against the Ukrainian side. All three players are fundamental to the team’s performance and are the best at their job. Kross and Modric can pull some strings from the midfield and assist the forwards to score. The German sniper can try his luck from a long distance as well.
Casemiro needs to provide solidity to the defense and the recent performances from the Brazilian are relieving for the hosts.
Forwards:- Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio
Vinicius is currently one of the best worldwide, and his electrifying form is one of the main reasons for Madrid’s success this season. Vini Jr. scored a brace against the Shakhtar in the previous fixture, and the Brazilian will be hoping to add some more goals.
The Frenchman was rested against Elche as he has featured in almost every game this season. Benzema is regularly scoring goals and would like to get on the scoresheet at Bernabeu.
Asensio will be hoping to get back in the lineup for the injured Rodrygo. The Spaniard is brilliant on the ball and smart with possession. Asensio’s left-footed strike from long range is lethal for the goalkeepers.
Real Madrid XI against Shakhtar Donetsk:- Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio.
The fixture will take place on Wednesday (11.15 p.m. IST) at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
