Real Madrid can book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Polish Army Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Los Blancos won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Santiago Bernabeu last week thanks to first-half goals from Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Jr. The win saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side sustain their flawless start to the Champions League group stages, picking up nine points in three games while leaving Shakhtar second with four.
Thus, a draw or win in Poland should seal the Spanish giant’s entry into the knockout rounds of the competition.
Real Madrid Team News
Karim Benzema has been named in the travelling Real Madrid squad after missing Saturday’s 1-0 win over Getafe in La Liga with muscle fatigue. Eder Militao suffered muscle spasms after scoring the only goal against Getafe but has been included in Ancelotti’s squad.
Thibaut Courtois and Dani Ceballos are still out as they continue with their recovery programs indoors.
Predicted Real Madrid Lineup vs Shakhtar Donetsk (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
In Thibaut Courtois’ absence, Andriy Lunin will deputise in goal. The towering Ukrainian kept a clean sheet at the weekend and will be hoping to do the same on Tuesday evening.
Defence
Lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, Carlo Ancelotti could pair Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba in central defence in the Real Madrid lineup as he looks to protect Eder Militao ahead of the El Clasico.
Dani Carvajal should keep his place in the right-back position, whereas Ferland Mendy will fill in on the other flank as the left-back in the Real Madrid lineup.
Ancelotti will expect his players to maintain a solid defensive shape inside their half and initiate some attacks from deep.
Midfield
Ancelotti could opt for a midfield comprised of Aurelien Tchouameni, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric against Shakhtar Donetsk. Tchouameni will anchor the midfield, with Kroos and Modric looking to move the ball well and control the flow of the game. The onus will be on Kroos and Modric to carve open the opposition’s defence with their passing ability and vision.
Eduardo Camavinga and Marco Asensio are likely to have to settle for a spot on the bench as the duo wait for their chance to shine in the second half if the Real boss turns to them.
Attack
Karim Benzema is the ideal choice to lead the Real Madrid lineup on Tuesday. Benzema will be aiming to get himself on the scoresheet, with Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr. supporting him from the wide areas. If the Real front three click, Shakhtar could have a long night in Warsaw.
Both Rodrygo Goes and Eden Hazard will have to be content with a place on the bench and might come on to make an impact in the latter stages of the game if Ancelotti’s team are in need of a goal by then.
