Real Madrid gets their UEFA Champions League season started with a home fixture scheduled against Ukrainian opponents, Shaktar Donetsk. The two sides are familiar with each other and have squared off in the group stages on several occasions in the past decade or so.
The fixture will take place at Madrid’s make-shift stadium, the Alfredo de Stefano, with Santiago Bernabeu being renovated. It is expected that this fixture will pan out relatively easy for Zidane & Co. who also needs to be worried about the upcoming El Clasico fixture against Barcelona on the weekend.
Zidane will be heading into this fixture with as many as five players not at his disposal. The defensive duo, Carvajal and Odriozola, are nursing ligament and calf injuries, respectively. The likes of Martin Odegaard, Mariano Diaz and Eden Hazard are also unavailable for selection.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup Vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Defence
Thibaut Courtois would be the man taking charge for Los Blancos between the sticks. The Belgian has been in fine form lately and has already managed three clean sheets this season. In the absence of the two first-choice right-backs, Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Odriozola, Nacho Fernandes is set to deputise. Nacho is a versatile defender and can be deployed all across the back-line.
Varane is set to partner Eder Militao in the heart of Madrid’s defence. It is expected that Ramos would be rested keeping in mind the upcoming El Clasico. Ferland Mendy could be the given the nod for this fixture ahead of Marcelo who seemed to be short of legs against Los Blancos’ last opponents, Cadiz.
Midfield
Federico Valverde is set to be brought into the side ahead of Luka Modric, with the Croatian seeming off-colour in his last appearance. Casemiro is also expected to make his way back into the starting eleven after being given 45 minutes off against Cadiz. Toni Kroos would complete the midfield trio. The German would be vital for Zidane & Co. in their bid to start off the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League campaign on a winning note.
Attack
Lucas Vasquez is expected to pave the way for Marco Asensio down the right flank. The Spaniard has been in fine form lately, and Zidane would be looking to exploit this. Karim Benzema will be starting in the number nine position, but his lack of goals this season will be a cause of concern for the Bernabeu faithful. The striker has failed to get himself in attacking positions like he did last season. Vinicius Jr would be starting in the last position up for grabs down the left-hand side. Vinicius has been a source of constant motivation for Los Blancos with his promising and decisive performances so far this season.
Predicted Line-Up
Courtois
Nacho – Varane – Militao – Mendy
Valverde – Casemiro – Kroos
Asensio – Benzema – Vinicius
