Real Madrid: 3 possible attacking lineups at Shakhtar Donetsk without Eden Hazard

FW Karim Benzema, FW Rodrygo Goes, AM Martin Odegaard

To me, there is only one guarantee, and that is Karim Benzema starting if we assume he is 100 percent by now. There is a second player who has a high likelihood of starting, and that is Rodrygo Goes. Taking into account his current form, especially in the Champions League, and his versatility, he should be in the lineup on Tuesday evening in Kyiv.

But the third spot is up for grabs. It could be Marco Asensio. Maybe Rodrygo plays on the right wiht Vinicius Junior on the left. Or maybe Isco starts after he nearly scored a late goal against Alaves over the weekend.

However, I feel Martin Odegaard is a player who needs to start. He has genereally started in midfield for Real Madrid this season, but I’d like to see him in the attack. As a left-footer, he could replace Asensio on the right side of a front three.

Odegaard’s best skill is his ability to break lines with his passing and create clear goal-scoring chances. Imagine him in a No. 10 role with the diamond formation and Rodrygo and Benzema playing up top, receiving those killer passes from one of La Liga’s top playmakers.

Zinedine Zidane needs to try this out. Rodrygo worked hard this summer to get stronger, and he has the tools to play more centrally up top in this 4-4-2 diamond formation. Rodrygo and Benzema have great understanding with each other, and Rodrygo has the finishing chops to support Benz with the movement to make himself available for Odegaard. I’d rather see a Rodrygo and Benz partnership than Mariano and Benz.