With the return of club football, Real Madrid football also returns in midweek for UEFA Champions League action. Madrid face Shakhtar Donetsk in matchday three of the 2022/23 Champions League season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side saw their 100% winning start to the season halted over the weekend when they faced Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos were held to a 1-1 draw at home despite Vinicius Junior’s strike to give the team the lead. Kike Garcia equalised for the away team while Karim Benzema failed to convert from the penalty spot.
However, Madrid now needs to turn their attention to the game against Shakhtar and hope the team can pick momentum again for the next set of games.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid will be the favourites to win Group F for the third time in a row. However, in the group stage of the 2020–21 competition, Madrid fell to Shakhtar twice, with the Ukrainian powerhouses winning 3-2 on Matchday One at the Bernabeu.
Although Shakhtar won both of their games against Madrid in the group stage of the Champions League in 2020-21, they lost both of their games against Madrid in the previous season, including a 2-1 loss at the Bernabeu.
The reigning champions from Ukraine came in last in their group, although they advanced to the next round in 2017–18, falling to Roma in the round of 16, while in 2010–11 they reached the quarterfinals before being ousted by Barcelona.
TEAM NEWS
Ancelotti confirmed in his presser ahead of the game that Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric are both back for the encounter against Shakhtar on Wednesday.
With Dani Ceballos picking up an injury in training, Modric’s return could see him get back into the starting line-up though the gaffer adds that he would have to think about it.
In Thibaut Courtois’ absence, Andriy Lunin is expected to continue in goal after taking charge against Osasuna in the league game. Eder Militao should also replace Rudiger in the team.
Shakhtar are in good health going into this game, with the exception of long-term absentee Viktor Kornienko who has a significant knee injury.
With Lucas Taylor and Marian Shved expected to return, there will be a few changes from the lineup that took the field for the opening whistle in the league the last time out.
Danylo Sikan, who scored three goals against Metalist, is anticipated to start at centre forward for the Ukrainian giants, while Mudryk, who is in high demand, is slated to play off the left.
POSSIBLE STARTING XIs
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius.
Shakhtar Donetsk predicted lineup vs Real Madrid: Trubin; Taylor, Bondar, Matviyenko, Konoplya; Shved, Bondarenko, Stepanenko, Sudakov, Mudryk; Sikan.
