Real Madrid have put their UEFA Champions League campaign in jeopardy after yet another toothless performance.
If there was one thing fans thought going into this match, it was that we had recovered form in the competition Real Madrid likes to call their own.
Completing a double over Inter Milan meant that Los Blancos had their UCL fate in their own hands. Two wins out of two would have seen them top the grow. Now, though, even progressing to the Round of 16 isn’t set in stone. Other results in the group will have to go in Real Madrid’s favour provided they win their final group game against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Goals from Dentinho and Manor Solomon meant that Real have lost their second successive game. The season is far from over yet, but the slump in form is alarming.
The player ratings for the match are below.
Thibaut Courtois – 6
Wasn’t called into action on more than two occasions. Was good with his positioning throughout the game but could’ve probably done more to save the second goal.
Lucas Vázquez – 5
This is arguably his most ineffective outing this season. Although he was decent defensively, he couldn’t contribute much in attack and gave far too much time and space to Manor Solomon for the second goal.
Raphaël Varane – 4.5
Just when it was starting to look like good old times for Varane, he was involved in an absolute mishap that led to Shakhtar breaking the deadlock. Now the rating might be too harsh, but it was his error that led to the goal being scored. He just can’t seem to catch a break at the moment.
Nacho – 5.5
One of the better defenders tonight, Nacho mopped up the spaces left behind and was quick to close his man down. However, he was caught out of position a few times when Shakhtar countered in transition. Tried his best to emulate Sergio Ramos.
Ferland Mendy – 5
Ferland Mendy is usually an astute defender at left-back, but this was one of those performances where he couldn’t get most of the things right at either end of the pitch. His negligible impact in attack hurt the team on a lot of occasions while he lacked concentration in defence. Mendy is starting to expose cracks in his armour.
Toni Kroos – 5
It was a mixed performance from the German in a mixed performance from the team. In the first half, where Real Madrid were clearly the better team, Kroos won the ball multiple times in midfield and was successful in the team playing the ball out of the back. His influence drastically waned in the second half and uncharacteristically misplaced a lot of passes.
Luka Modrić – 5
Modrić has been fantastic this season, but he just couldn’t help the cause against Shakhtar. He looked a bit tired (understandable since this was his 5th start in a row). He needs to be rested ahead of the next match.
Martin Ødegaard – 5.5
As with the entire team, Ødegaard failed to click as well, although he did set Marco Asensio for a chance at goal. Did get in good positions between the lines but his passing was wayward.
Rodrygo – 4.5
There was never any lack of effort from the Brazilian, but he seems to be inconsistent on the right. He did beat the defender(s) a couple of times, but nothing apart from that. A rare UCL night where he didn’t shine.
Marco Asensio – 6
Asensio is riddled by rotten luck. He got on the end of a low cross from Karim Benzema only to see the ball fly off the post. For someone who hasn’t registered a single goal or assist this season, it must be frustrating to hit the post. He made good runs, both with and without the ball. One of his better performances recently.
Karim Benzema – 4.5
To sum Benzema’s performance up in a nutshell, he looked good for the opening 30 minutes before disappearing until he was substituted by Mariano. To be fair to him, this was his first game since recovering from his injury. I still feel he shouldn’t have started.
Substitutes
Isco – NA
Came on in the 77th minute for Martin Ødegaard as a part of a triple change but didn’t see much of the ball to have any impact. Not his fault though as Shakhtar kept the ball for long lengths in the second half.
Mariano Díaz – NA
Came on for Karim Benzema. Didn’t have much time to change the game, and neither did his teammates create anything for Mariano to latch onto.
Vinícius Junior – 6
The third change for the game, coming on for Rodrygo. Vinícius was energetic and tried to make something happen. For all his endeavour, Real Madrid couldn’t manage to salvage anything from the game. Good 15 minutes for him.