Tactical Analysis: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Real Madrid

After earning a shock 3-2 victory over Real Madrid at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Matchday 1 of the Champions League group stage, Shakhtar Donetsk repeated the trick when they welcomed the Spanish giants to the NSC Olimpiyskiy on Tuesday evening.

Most expected Real Madrid to win the game and guarantee their qualification into the knockout stages. However, Shakhtar sat deep in their 4-5-1 shape for large periods of the game, soaked up Los Blancos’s pressure, and were effective on the counter.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane made several changes to the team that lost to Deportivo Alavés at the weekend. After an ineffective performance from Mariano Díaz on Saturday, Karim Benzema started up top for the away side, and Rodrygo entered the side for the injured Eden Hazard. Ferland Mendy was given the start at left back over Marcelo, whilst Casemiro was dropped for Martin Ødegaard, who started in the central attacking midfield position in Zidane's 4-2-3-1.