Real Madrid will face Shakhtar Donetsk next in mid-week after the scheduled game against Athletic Club in LaLiga was postponed due to the South Americans on national duty who wouldn’t have returned in time and health to face another intense Matchday in the league. As such, players who have an extended gap and some much-needed time for rejuvenation before they take the pitch in the Champions League again.
Los Blancos had a night to forget last time out in the Champions League losing 2-1 at home to underdogs Sheriff Tiraspol. They’d look to improve their campaign against Shakhtar. However, there is an important factor involved- the revenge factor. Shakhtar beat Real Madrid on both occasions in the group stage last season. So this season, Real Madrid will eye revenge, a feeling that has worked in favor of Real Madrid for several occasions in the past. Here are the five key players who’d be important in this revenge mission.
5. FERLAND MENDY
Real Madrid is getting one key starter back in their side in Ferland Mendy. With Real’s central defense looking shaky, Ferland Mendy could be very important to Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for leading this revenge mission. Several fans think Mendy has the positional smartness required to play at central defense and I am of a similar opinion.
Real Madrid’s mainstay of Eder Militao and David Alaba cannot start the next match given Militao’s injury during national duty. Alaba too suffered a knock to his knee but is hopeful of playing in the game against Shakhtar. Given the way Nacho has been playing so far, having Mendy back is a big boost.
He has been the difference-maker several times for Real Madrid, the wonder goal against Atalanta in the round of 16 last season is a great example. Mendy offers a lot going forward too and is more reliable than Miguel Gutierrez at the back. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Castilla prodigy is a future superstar but there’s no denying that Mendy is first-choice if the question is about the left fullback position.
4. TONI KROOS
The next player on the list again is one who hasn’t played much for Real Madrid so far. Moreover, Carlo Ancelotti’s weird decision to play him wide in midfield successfully muted him for the whole match against Espanyol. Something unheard of when talked about one of the best central midfielders of this generation, Toni Kroos.
But unlike his muted outing against Espanyol, Toni Kroos, I believe would be very much key to seeking revenge over Shakhtar if Don Carlo goes back to the usual Real Madrid 4-3-2, something he really should. We haven’t seen Kroos do what he does best and it has been a long wait, to be honest.
Champions League is undoubtedly a competition that is closer to heart than any to all the threepeat stars including Kroos. We’d expect something similar to what we saw against Liverpool in last season’s quarterfinals. If not a performance at the very same level, Madridistas expect Real Madrid to take charge of midfield and control the pace of the game now that Real’s first-choice midfield is ready to start. Either way, Toni Kroos has been a difference-maker on the pitch for several occasions and we’d like to see him at a similar level following the restart.
3. THIBAUT COURTOIS
The third most important player for Real Madrid would be their Belgian Wall in goal. Thibaut Courtois has been top class for Real Madrid given how awfully the defense has played. His masterclass against Inter Milan and Villarreal put him up as one of the best players of September. As such, the defense is once again in question and Courtois would be the one who needs to step up being the leader that he is.
Courtois has developed as a natural leader at the back on and off the pitch. He takes the charge to speak up to the public media after a bad match and handles things expertly without shying away from calling out who needs to be called out be it the referees or the governing bodies of football.
Shakhtar, at no cost, is a club that can be discounted. They are dangerous on counters and though they haven’t had the best start to their European campaign, they did keep Inter at bay to see out a 0-0 draw. And, that should give us an idea of how strong a side they are.
Their threat on counters would always be alive and Thibaut Courtois needs to be at the best of his concentration to pull out another masterclass because this defense is bound to struggle especially when there would be another transition involved given the Ferland Mendy and Eder Militao switch predicted.
2. VINICIUS JUNIOR
On number two, we have Real Madrid’s most dangerous attacking individual, Vinicius Junior. Vini has been playing his best football this season under Don Carlo. In the disappointing match against Espanyol too, Vini pulled off some of the best linkups including a smart back-heel pass in the opening minutes that could have easily been the opener. Alas, Benzema couldn’t get his footing right to launch a shot.
That aside, Vini’s pace and dribbling always kept the threat alive. He was constantly looking to create something out of nothing. And, on several occasions, he was left without a passing option to create a clear opportunity. I also think this was because of Benzema’s off-the-ball movement that didn’t click at all against Espanyol.
Vini would be expected to do what he has been doing so far and against a stubborn defense as Shakhtar, he could be the difference-maker for Real Madrid. He would come in handy in beating the defenders and getting passes inside the box, something that has been a hit-or-miss factor in his game so far. He has been a little wasteful when he tries to go all the way and fails at a cut-back or a shot. But, these are things bound to happen. Vini’s overall game has been profitable for Madrid and he would be our best shot at creating problems for Shakhtar this time out too.
1. KARIM BENZEMA
There isn’t any doubt that Karim Benzema would once again be Real Madrid’s main man forward with all our hope riding on the Nations League winner. But, this would be the very first game where I can point out a few things he could improve on from the last time he played for Real Madrid.
Firstly, he needs to be a little more thoughtful about his movement around the box. As I stated earlier his positioning could have cost Real Madrid a chance or two against Espanyol in the last game. Secondly, he has been relying more on moments of individual brilliance than carrying his all-around game at the same level as he was in the first couple of games of the season.
During this international break too, Benzema stayed out of the game for the most part in the semifinals of the Nations League against Belgium before manufacturing that one moment of brilliance to score the first for France in the second half. He, however, improved in the second game which was the final. His involvement nearly resulted in a goal in the opening exchanges and then he was also involved in a second-half incident that nearly resulted in the opener for France with the ball bouncing off the bar.
He, however, scored a golazo to equalize and then through a Mbappe finish went on to win his first title with France. Benzema, therefore, is in great Morale and this is the best time to lead Real Madrid’s attacks through him. He would be sniffing revenge as the on-field captain and Real’s best player, a fact which isn’t even contested now. He would definitely be the most key player to Real’s revenge mission over Shakhtar.