Shakhtar Donetsk 2 – 0 Real Madrid (Dentinho, Solomon) Here is our quick reaction. Still to come: player ratings, post-game podcasts, post-game quotes and more analysis.
“One final” as Zidane put it (and he always does) before the night’s game against Shakhtar. “This is the most important match of the group because these three points can take us to the next round,” Zidane said. “We need to think about this.”
Now that scenario has become more complicated, and we will know the true complexity of Real Madrid’s group-stage situation after the game between Inter Milan and Borussia Michન્ngladbach ends later. Knowing how Real Madrid’s season has been against less open teams this season, with Real Madrid already performing against both Shakhtar and Machengladbach, it’s not surprising to see Real Madrid fail to get a result here tonight.
Today, the process in the first half was better than in previous games, but the bar is very low, and it is impossible to celebrate a marginal strategy victory if it does not bring results against the team currently in second place. Put in the Ukrainian Premier League. This is a team of high quality, and historically no top team has ever been set higher than any bar.
Marco Asensio appeared alive today, pushing the players forward and shooting at every opportunity – even hitting the post. Martin de DeGuard’s position between the lines, as well as his manic pressing again gave Real Madrid good chances, and Odegard himself channed three chances in the first frame. Tony Cruz was dynamic in midfield, dribbling well under pressure and was active for defense in passing lanes.
Defensively, Real Madrid were not further threatened in the first half. Shaftar Varan took the yellow card to stop Shakhtar’s break, but the transition defense from all sides was so good to limit the potential. Nothing Until the second half. Whenever Ga Degard’s position on the press left a gap behind him, Shakhtar’s build-up was not good enough to exploit him.
Eventually all the hard knocking on the door didn’t violate Shakhtar’s frame, and seeing the weak defensive sequence after Real Madrid’s corner, the team conceded a goal that made almost no sense, but maybe that’s why it’s so appropriate this season:
We know how this story goes. Real Madrid now need to chase the game, and going forward in the second half they either complete a comeback that puts Bandomic Ed on the atomic bomb, or, alternatively (and more likely), they accept the final nail:
Beautiful run and strike from the beautiful Solomon to seal it for Shaktar! Questions above
Where has the defense gone but is there still to beat Cortez at a nearby post? Some hits! pic.twitter.com/Bpq1xBptab– Rank FC (@ RankSquad) December 1, 2020
The bare bones of a sad night for Real Madrid. We will break this down into more detail in the coming hours.
