Team news
Real Madrid
- Karim Benzema has finally made his return as Zinedine Zidane included him in the 21-man squad for the clash.
- Still, Dani Carvajal, Luka Jovic, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Odriozola, Fede Valverde and Eden Hazard will all miss Real Madrid's away trip.
Shakhtar Donetsk
- Shakhtar Donetsk will miss Yevhen Konoplyanka, Davit Khocholava, Dentinho, Victor Korniienko and Ismaily through injury.
Key stats
- The previous clash between the two sides ended in a 3-2 victory for the Ukrainian side.
- Madrid and Shakhtar also met in the Champions League back in 2015, with the Whites winning both matches (4-3 and 4-0).
- Both teams are on a rather bad run of form, as they both have won two, drew one and lost two of their last five matches.
Probable line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Militao, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Mariano, Vinicius Jr.
Shakhtar XI: Pyatov; Dodo, Bondar, Matvienko, Cipriano; Maycon, Antonio; Tete, Marlos, Solomon; Moraes. (h/t SportsMole)
Manager quotes
💬 Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid): "We know that tomorrow is another final. There are two left. Tomorrow is surely the most important game in the group because there are three points that can make us go through the phase. You have to think only about that."
💬 Luis Castro (Shakhtar Donetsk): "We really think that we have the capacity to do it one more time, to beat Madrid. We always want to present a strategy that can surprise. It will not be the same as the one we presented in Madrid, we will have some changes so we can think clearly about winning the game."
Predictions
SportsMole's Matt Law: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Real Madrid
"Madrid will be determined to bounce back from Saturday's loss to Alaves, and the Spanish champions will also be hoping to gain some revenge on Shakhtar. There is no question that the home side are capable of making it a tricky contest, but we fancy Zidane's side to pick up all three points."
90min's Grey Whitebloom: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Real Madrid
"After Real Madrid eased to an impressive victory over Inter in their last Champions League outing, Zidane made a telling assessment of his players: 'When they have to turn it on, they turn it on.'
"Even a depleted Madrid squad has more than enough quality to overcome a similarly stretched Shakhtar side, the only question is whether Los Blancos' players consider this group stage match an instance where 'they have to turn it on."
