The Real Champs
Fansided

Real Madrid: 3 keys to victory against Shakhtar Donetsk on Champions League Matchday 3

By Manas Pratim Sharma

Real Madrid, Luka Modric (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid, Luka Modric (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Pedrinho of Shakhtar Donetsk (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Pedrinho of Shakhtar Donetsk (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

Real Madrid faces their nightmare from last season’s Champions League campaign next following the postponement of the league game against Athletic Club this weekend. Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk defeated Los Blancos on both occasions in the group stages last season, taking all six points against them.

As such, Los Blancos would be eyeing revenge against the Ukrainians. For the same, I previously analyzed five players who would be vital for the upcoming fixture. Here, I underline the three keys that can guide Los Merengues to a victory and complete half of their revenge mission over Shakhtar this mid-week.

1. Real Madrid must contain key player Pedrinho

Shakhtar’s key man at the middle of the park, Pedrinho has been their best player in the Champions League so far. The Brazilian averages two key passes and 3.5 long balls per game according to WhoScored. It was his linkup with Lassina Traore that created the most difficulties against Inter Milan on Matchday 2.

Traore, on the other hand, has been their highest goalscorer in the domestic league but has been mute against big oppositions. The same could be said about their game against Dynamo Kyiv that finished with a 0-0 scoreline. It is Pedrinho who has been stepping up with his playmaking abilities to create clearer chances for his side. Moreover, he is also launching hopeful shots at an average of four per game. He has an average match-rating of 7.23 in the competition so far, per WhoScored.

Home/Analysis