Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs Shakhtar: Asensio’s probable return

After a win against Elche during the weekend, Real Madrid prepare to take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League for the second time this season after the Spanish team came out with a convincing 5-0 win the last time both teams met. It isn’t expected that Real would win by as big of a margin this time around as the Ukrainian club will want to make amends for their performance a couple of weeks ago.

Goalkeeper

In goal, Thibaut Courtois will take his place between the sticks. The Belgian goalkeeper has played all available minutes so far during this season and is the only player in the team to do so during the campaign. It doesn’t look as though he is in need of any rest yet and if he can keep up his form, he won’t be benched anytime soon.

Defenders

During the game against Elche, Ancelotti decided to rest our two starting full-backs while giving Lucas Vazquez and captain Marcelo a starting spot. However, our starters are expected to return with Dani Carvajal taking his place as right-back and Ferland Mendy returning to his left-back position. Both players will need to be rested whenever possible as they have suffered injuries and having them back on the injury list will be quite harmful to the team.

In the center of defense, the usual partnership is expected to continue. Eder Militao will be alongside David Alaba on the night as both players have shown that they are in form at the moment and giving them the consistency they deserve is necessary.

Midfielders

Real Madrid’s midfield trio has always been synonymous with success and in a Champions League game where a win is needed, it doesn’t seem likely that Carlo Ancelotti will want to take any risks by benching them. Carlos Casemiro has had a difficult time so far during the season but he’s always needed in the team as he offers what others can’t in the same position at the moment. In front of him, the magical Luka Modric will be expected to start alongside our German machine in Toni Kroos who seems to have gotten back to his very best after returning from a long injury.

Forwards

Up front, Ancelotti will not be able to count on his newly favored Brazilian on the right flank as Rodrygo Goes was taken off during the game over the weekend with an injury. Therefore, all signs point to Marco Asensio starting in his place. It will be interesting to see if the Italian manager decides to mix things up a little and give Eden Hazard a chance but as of now, that seems unlikely.

On the left, the man who continues to make this season his own will undoubtedly start as Vinicius Junior has been in the form of his life so far. Up front, we will see the return of Karim Benzema to the lineup after he was left off the squad list during the weekend.

Full Predicted Starting Lineup

Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Carlos Casemiro, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema