An early goal
Borussia Monchengladbach defeated Shakhtar 6-0 and 4-0 in its last two Champions League games. The biggest key in those games was an early goal that forced the Ukrainian outfit to push upfield and look for an equalizer.
When that happened, the Germans were able to easily and clinically pick apart its opponent. In the 6-0 victory in Kyiv, Alassane Plea scored eight minutes in and the flood gates opened. Gladbach went on to score four before the break and looked comfortable swatting away attack after attack from Shakhtar.
In the 4-0 win last week, Gladbach scored 17 minutes in through Lars Stindl and added two more before the break. If Real Madrid can find that early breakthrough – much like they did against Inter Milan in the San Siro – this will be a routine win.
Shakhtar is still in contention to make it through to the knockout stage and lead by Inter by two points with two matches remaining in the group stage. If Donetsk can earn a draw or perhaps another upset win, they could sneak past both of the favorites in Group B.