[ad_1]
Real Madrid’s progress in the Champions League is in jeopardy after Shakhtar Donetsk beat Zinedine Zidane’s stuttering team 2-0.
Bruno Dentinho finished off a counterattack in the 57th minute, attacking when Raphael Varane faltered, and then Manor Solomon was allowed to drive from the half before scoring a final second (82) as the Ukrainians completed an impressive double over the heavyweights. Europeans.
Shakhtar, who beat Real Madrid 3-2 on matchday one, rise above the Spaniards to second place in the Group B table thanks to their head-to-head record, which means that the fate of the 13 times European Cup champions is out of their hands. .
Real Madrid, who have won just four of their last 11 matches in all competitions, will face leaders Borussia Monchengladbach in the final group match on December 9, but must expect Shakhtar to slip against Inter that same night. .
Zinedine Zidane’s team has been defeated at home and away by Shakhtar Donetsk
Zidane’s team, without Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos, but boosted by the return of Karim Benzema, came close to making an early breakthrough when Marco Asensio hit the post from a tight angle.
Asensio was also turned off by Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin, who was right to push another goal over the bar.
But Shakhtar were full of energy after the break and Thibaut Courtois, who had little to do in the first half, was called into action to deny Taison.
That turned out to be a warning sign as the hosts broke the standoff just before time when Dentinho, replacing the injured Junior Moraes, took advantage of defensive confusion and moved into the bottom corner.
Another counterattack saw Shakhtar double their lead with eight minutes remaining when Solomon raced down the left flank before cutting and drilling past Courtois to leave Real’s hopes in the balance.
Zidane promises real fight
Madrid’s qualifying streak since the group stage for a record 23 consecutive seasons is in grave jeopardy, but Zidane promised that he, and his team, would keep fighting.
“I am optimistic. This is a difficult time, but we have to show our character now and stand our ground,” he said at his post-match press conference.
“What happened is a real shame because we didn’t deserve it but we have to win our next game.
“We are going to believe in ourselves and we are going to fight, you can be sure of that.”
[ad_2]
