Beleaguered Real Madrid fly down to Donetsk with very bitter taste in the mouth following the Clasico humiliation, and will be aiming to put the vanquishment in the dustbin of history with a morale-boosting win in Ukraine.
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But just four days after suffering a 4-0 mauling at the hands of Barcelona in El Clasico, there were still worrying signs of Real’s defensive frailities for under-pressure coach Rafael Benitez.
However, Alex Teixeira pulled one back from the penalty spot for the home side before Dentinho headed in a second.
Benitez’s side were rocking but held on for the victory, which ensured they won Group A and will go into the draw for the last 16 as a top seed.
“With the case of Cristiano, we have said many times there is a strategy for him to go to another club next season”, Guillem Balague told Sky Sports.
Isco was benched for Madrid’s 4-0 loss at home to Barcelona in the league last Saturday, but the attacking midfielder has stressed he is still happy at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid were in cruise control and Ronaldo finally got his second of the game on 70 minutes. The minutes in which we made those mistakes are ones we need to be able to handle.
Shakhtar wasted a free-kick in a promising position shortly after the restart and Madrid made them pay with a clinical second goal. Those 10 goals came from just 15 shots on target by opponents Sevilla, Barcelona and Shakhtar.
Benitez’s changes to his lineup for the Barca game generally had a positive impact on the team’s performance, with Mateo Kovacic and Casemiro in particularly adding a sturdy element in midfield that had been lacking against Barca.
With Paul Pogba in inspired form in midfield for Juventus, Mandzukic then forced a good save from Joe Hart who also blocked an effort from Stephan Lichtsteiner after the Swiss had burst down the right. It is about analysing each goal.
In the first half against Shakhtar, Madrid saw Gareth Bale find a ton of space streaking down the left side of the penalty area. We must give merit to [Shakhtar]. “Cristiano is an important player to our team”.
Ronaldo scored twice for Real Madrid. “Maybe Madrid can replace any player, but it’s far more hard for us”.
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It was a frustrating night for United, who pressed and dominated possession but struggled to hurt their opponents. They know how to handle the ball.
