Real Madrid welcome Shakhtar Donetsk at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening for matchday three of the Champions League group stage.
Los Blancos have six points from their first two games against Celtic and RB Leipzig, and they can take a huge step towards the knockout rounds of the Champions League with a victory. They are unbeaten in the season, however, Carlo Ancelotti’s men dropped points in La Liga on Sunday after drawing 1-1 with Osasuna.
Thus, Ancelotti will want his side to bounce back against Shakhtar, who head to Spain on the back of a 6-1 win over Metalist in the Ukrainian league.
Real Madrid have received a big injury boost ahead of the game with Luka Modric returning to training on Monday. Modric sat out of the Osasuna game with a hip problem but seems to have recovered now. The Croat’s return is offset by the back injury to Thibaut Courtois that forced him to miss the Osasuna game. Courtois is ruled out of the upcoming European fixture.
Lucas Vazquez has returned from injury but Eduardo Camavinga remains a big doubt after missing Monday’s training session.
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois has grown into one of Real Madrid’s most important players and not having him available for selection against Shakhtar Donetsk will certainly be a blow. His injury means Andriy Lunin will start again between the sticks.
Defence
Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy will keep their places intact at full-back, with Antonio Rudiger pairing up with David Alaba at the heart of the Real Madrid defence ahead of Lunin.
The back four of Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba and Mendy must defend as a unit to keep Mykhaylo Mudryk and co. at bay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Midfield
The midfield unit should witness one change, with fit-again Luka Modric replacing Dani Ceballos. Modric’s return to the side will be a big boost, as his ability to dictate the tempo of games and come up with game-changing moments is second to none.
The Croatian international will join Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos in Real’s engine room. If Eduardo Camavinga recovers in time, he will have to be content with a place on the bench, along with Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio.
Attack
Federico Valverde came off the bench against Osasuna and will be pushing for a start on Wednesday. The Uruguayan offers a lot of energy off the ball, making him such a crucial player for Ancelotti’s Real. He could start on the right, with the speedy and unpredictable Vinicius Jr. operating down the left.
Karim Benzema will take up the No.9 role, and he will be aiming to redeem himself after missing a penalty against Osasuna.
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