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

3. Real Madrid must utilize the flanks well in attack

If something is clear from the first two games Skakhtar has featured in the Champions League this season is that they suffer the most aerially. Real Madrid too, isn’t at their best in the air defensively but with Karim Benzema’s height upfront and some brilliant crossers of the ball in David Alaba, Toni Kroos, or even Miguel Gutierrez, Shakhtar’s drawback can be exploited to Real Madrid’s advantage.

In the first game against FC Sheriff, Shakhtar had no answers to their fast attacking play that ended up in two brilliant aerial goals. One, an acrobatic volley, and second, a thumping header. Inter Milan in the next match was inches away from scoring with Edin Dzeko’s shot at the far post off a cross that had beaten all bodies to reach an alluring position for the attacker.

Real Madrid should therefore come up with a similar plan. One thing to note straight away is the contributions of the fullbacks in attack, something that Real Madrid has been lacking since Dani Carvajal’s injury. But, the problem could be solved if Ferland Mendy returns to his familiar position or even Miguel Gutierrez taking up the left-back role. The situation on the right still stays blurry.

The plan must be to involve the wider players well and then getting the midfielders to the edge of the box for exchanges to find an opening and launch a killer ball finding someone in a scoring position with Karim Benzema being the best shot given his heading abilities and great first touch control.

Vinicius Junior can once again be the difference-maker on the left flank with his world-class dribbling and pace. And, there’s always Alaba to build a solid attack from the back or find a forward with one of his accurate long balls. Overall, fast attacking football targeting wider spaces and regular ball and bodies in the box can get the job done for Los Blancos. We hope the story unfolds similarly this mid-week.