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The “Real” is weak … Zinedine Zidane does not prepare for the games, that is the reason for such results and such a game of Madrid. More precisely, he prepares only for those opponents that, based on subjective conclusions, he considers dangerous. The “Real” well prepared for “Barcelona”, running over and pushing them in the La Liga match, the “Real” well prepared for the two fights with “Inter”, using counterpressures. But preparing for opponents like Shakhtar or Alavés is not a real matter, you know.
And “Shakhtar” undoubtedly played into the hands of surprise effect. The underestimation by Madrid (we are talking mainly about the match in Spain) is one thing, but the use by Luis Castro of players who were not previously exposed at the Champions League level or the last stages of the Europa League is other. Kornienko, Bondar, Trubin, Tete, Solomon, Maicon, Marcos Antonio – these are all nouns in the eyes of rival Shakhtar coaches.
Vitao is another one of those without a name. In Madrid he played a few minutes (he entered the field at 90 + 2), but in Kiev he played a full duel and gave a defensive performance. According to most statistical indicators, the Brazilian has become one of the best on Shakhtar’s list.
He has the third best touchdown indicator for Shakhtar, one of the highest passes, two wins in singles bouts, three successful tackles, not a single instance when one of the opponents beat him as a result of a dribble, three interceptions, six punts, not a single casual loss and, most importantly, not a single foul. Vitao acted extremely efficiently and accurately, which is important when facing a team that often scores on set pieces.
According to WhoScored, Vitao is the best on Shakhtar’s list and according to InStat, the second best after Anatoly Trubin.
But here there would be no happiness, but misfortune helped. Serhiy Kryvtsov, Shakhtar’s main central defender, was injured and was unable to play in this match. The merit of Castro, however, is that he was not afraid to trust the debutant of the Champions League. At the end of the day, there were options with the transfer of Nikolai Matvienko to the center of the defense and the exit from the left of Cipriano or Bolbat.
All of this will definitely not be useless. Even if Shakhtar do not come out in the spring, this European campaign will be marked by several brilliant victories (but also painful defeats) and the progress of young players. But I wish the season didn’t end in December. Especially after games like yesterday.
