Immediate reaction: Shakhtar Donetsk 2 – 0 Real Madrid



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Shakhtar Donestk 2 – 0 real Madrid (Dentinho, Solomon). Here is our quick reaction. More to come: player ratings, post-match podcast, post-match quotes, and more.


“A final” as Zidane said (and always does) ahead of tonight’s game against Shakhtar. “This is the most important game of the group because these three points can put us in the next round,” Zidane said. “This is what we have to think about.”

Now that scenario has become even more complicated and we will know the real complexity of the Real Madrid group stage situation once the game between Inter Milan and Borussia Mönchengladbach comes to an end later. Knowing how Real Madrid’s season has gone against less open sides this season, as well as Real Madrid’s performance against Shakhtar and Mönchengladbach, it’s not a huge surprise to see Real Madrid fail to deliver a result. here tonight.

Today the first half process was better than it has been in previous matches, but that bar is woefully low, and it’s impossible to celebrate a marginal tactical victory if it doesn’t produce a result. against a team that is currently second. place in the Ukrainian Premier League. This is a team with high standards, and historically the bar is set higher than any bar has ever been set by a top team.

Marco Asensio looked alive today, taking on players and shooting at every opportunity – even hitting the post. Martin Odegaard’s positioning between the lines, as well as his manic pressing, gave Real Madrid some good opportunities again, and Odegaard alone created three chances in that opening frame. Toni Kroos was dynamic in midfield, dribbled well under pressure and was active in defending passing lanes.

Defensively, Real Madrid were not threatened much in the first half. Raphael Varane took a yellow card to prevent a Shakhtar break, but everyone’s transition defense was good enough to limit the chances to practically nothing until the second half. Whenever Odegaard’s positioning on the press left a void behind him, Shakhtar’s buildup wasn’t good enough to exploit him.

Eventually, all the knocking on the door couldn’t unlock Shakhtar’s frame, and a poor defensive streak after a Real Madrid corner saw the team concede a goal that almost made no sense, but it was maybe that’s why it’s so appropriate for this season:

We know how this story unfolds. Real Madrid now have to chase after a game and, as they advance into the second half, either make a comeback that puts a band-aid on an atomic bomb or, alternatively (and more likely), concede the final nail:

That’s the bare minimum of a miserable night for Real Madrid. We’ll break this down in more detail in the coming hours.



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