01 November 2021, 17:13 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
After blowing Shakhtar Donetsk away in a 5-0 win in the reverse fixture, Real Madrid aims for a back-to-back double over the Ukrainian side in a bid to overtake Sheriff - who have a difficult game against Inter Milan later in the day - at the top of Group D. This highly anticipated fixture kicks off at 18:45 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, November 3, at the Santiago Bernabéu. Referee Benoît Bastien (FRA) will be in charge of this fixture, while Delajod Willy (FRA) will be in the VAR room.
Preview Real Madrid Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview Real Madrid enters Matchday 4 with the memory of their five-goal victory over Shakhtar still fresh in their minds. A recap of Matchday 3 events shows the 13-time UEFA Champions League winners taking the lead via an own goal by Serhiy Kryvtsov (37' O.G.). seven minutes after the half-hour mark. A moment later, Luka Modric threaded the ball through the eye of a needle to find Vinicius Jnr. (51') at the other end. The Brazilian was back a moment later with a remarkable solo goal, having walked through Shakhtar’s defense, beating as many as three orange shirts for the brace (56'). Rodrygo’s effort saw Madrid with the fourth goal before none other than Karim Benzema (90'+1) handed Madrid the fifth. Back on the home front, Madrid picked up a 2-1 win over Elche in LaLiga, - with Vinicius (22’ & 73’) scoring both goals for Los Blancos. The domestic win saw Madrid unbeaten in four games: LWWDW. Madrid has 6 points alongside Sheriff at the top of Group D, after 2W, 0D, & 1L. On Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to keep the attacking 4—3—3 formation with Benzema, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Jnr. upfront in place for this reverse fixture against Shakhtar. Marcelo reached a century of appearances in the UEFA Champions League on Matchday 3, becoming the 41st player to do so, while Lucas Vázquez played his 50th in that fixture. Dani Ceballos remains in doubt, alongside Bale while Federico Valverde’s availability for this fixture also remains in doubt.
Preview Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview Shakhtar Donetsk continues licking its wounds from the Matchday 3 encounter against Real Madrid, while relishing the opportunity to take a sizeable bite out of the 13-time UEFA Champions League winners. - In a bid to salvage a qualifying spot at the end of Matchday 6. Over the weekend, the Ukrainian side picked up an impressive 4-1 win over Desna in the Ukrainian Premier League, leaving the club with three consecutive victories in five games across all competitions: WLWWW. However, they remain at the bottom of UCL Group D, with only 1 point and a G.D. of -7 after 0W, 1D & 2L. Manager Roberto De Zerbi could line up the 4—2—3—1 formation once again, with Fernando in attack. Júnior Moraes and Yevgen Konoplyanka remain in doubt for this fixture.