Karim Benzema will return, but Vinicius Junior might earn some rest when Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk face off in Poland on Tuesday.
Real Madrid managed to win the reverse fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. And they will be the favourites to pick up all three points when the two teams face off in Poland on Tuesday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have picked up nine points from three group games so far and they are at the top of Group H right now. A win on Tuesday night will ensure their place in the Round of 16 of the competition as the group winners.
Real Madrid will likely be determined to put the Champions League group stages to bed here. And it will be interesting to be see whether they can grind out a vital away win.
Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk are second in their group, just one point ahead of Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig. They cannot afford to keep dropping points if they want to keep their hopes of a knockout-round qualification alive.
Real Madrid will fancy their chances of grinding out a comprehensive victory here, especially with some of their key players returning to action. Ancelotti decided to rest the likes of Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Ferland Mendy during the weekend clash against Getafe. And all three players should start in the midweek Champions League fixture.
Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielder Dani Ceballos are the only absentees from the travelling squad for the visitors here. But Ancelotti might rest Vinicius Junior on Tuesday, keeping the upcoming El Clasico with Barcelona in mind.
Regarding Tuesday’s game, Ancelotti said, “Vini is one of the players I’ll have to take a look at. He’s played every game and played on Saturday night too and he’s had the travelling today on top of that. Benzema is doing fine and will obviously play tomorrow night, as will Kroos and Mendy. They’re rested and fresh and will play.”
Eder Militao will likely retain his place in the starting lineup after a flawless performance against Getafe. And Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger should also continue in the back four. Mendy should come into the eleven in place of David Alaba as the left-back.
Luka Modric and Aurelien Tchouameni will likely start in the midfield again, just like they did at the weekend. And Toni Kroos will return to support them, with Eduardo Camavinga dropping back to the bench.
As for the offensive unit, Rodrygo Goes and Federico Valverde will feature as the wide forwards, and Benzema will start as the number nine. Vinicius will likely earn some rested, judging by the Ancelotti’s remarks. Finally, Andriy Lunin will continue in the Real Madrid goal in the absence of Courtois.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Rodrygo
