Real Madrid vs Shakhtar live on November 3, 2021: Ukrainian side eyeing revenge over Los Blancos

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Novembro 3, 2021 Por Ali M.

Assuntos: TV Schedules, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, UEFA Champions League

When these two sides met last month, Los Blancos cruised to a 5-0 victory. Here's a preview of their Wednesday encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Preview

Real Madrid are back in action in the UEFA Champions League, with the tournament's most successful team in history set to take to the field on Wednesday for their Matchday 4 fixture. The Spanish giants will lock horns with Ukrainian heavyweights Shakhtar Donetsk, with Los Blancos looking to steamroll past their Group D rivals once again.

Carlo Ancelotti's side enter this game after regaining some momentum. Benzema and Co. were held to a goalless draw at home to Osasuna a week ago, a disappointing result as it had left the Madrid side with one victory from three games then. However, a 2-1 triumph over Elche during the weekend helped them return to winning ways.

Vinicius Junior, who has been in sensational form this season, scored both goals as Real Madrid moved within a point of La Liga leaders Real Sociedad. Unfortunately, this does not mean everything is going perfectly for them in the UEFA Champions League.

While Les Merengues are one of the favorites to go through, Ancelotti's side sit second in the table and are thus in danger of getting an unfavorable fixture in the round of 16 -- should they make it to the knockout stage, that is. Moldavian side Sheriff, who recorded an unforgettable 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, top the table. The two sit level on points with six each, but thanks to that defeat, Real Madrid trail due to their inferior head-to-head record.

Fortunately, Los Blancos cruised to an impressive 5-0 victory over Shakhtar when the pair met last month. Vinicius got another brace in that game, with Benzema and Rodrygo also getting on the scoresheet. Does another convincing victory await the 13-time champions?

The Ukrainian side have been poor in Europe so far, picking up a mere point from their opening three fixtures, leaving them low on confidence and out of the race to qualify for the last 16. Third-placed Inter Milan are only three points ahead, meaning Hirnyky can still secure a ticket to the UEFA Europa League. However, even that is a stretch given their current form.

Nonetheless, Shakhtar can draw inspiration from their Ukrainian Premier League form, with the second-placed outfit boasting a 10-game unbeaten run. Furthermore, they enter this Santiago Bernabeu clash on the back of a 4-1 victory over Densa and will thus be aiming to maintain this streak.

Team news

Real Madrid: Gareth Bale will play no part in this tie due to a hamstring injury, joining Ceballos and Valverde on the sidelines. Karim Benzema, meanwhile, is a doubt after missing the weekend victory over Elche. Rodrygo, meanwhile, will undergo a late test.

Shakhtar: Lassina Traore and Junior Moraes are both out for the visitors. Mykola Matvienko, who has a leg issue, will sit this one out as well while Pedrinho remains a doubt.

Key stats

A total of 23 goals have been scored in their last five encounters.
Real Madrid average three goals a game against the Ukrainian heavyweights.
Shakhtar won both home and away when these two sides met in the group stage last season.