Real Madrid vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: 5 players who can start with Rodrygo Goes, Gareth Bale injured

Real Madrid defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 a couple of weeks ago in their third Champions League fixture of the campaign, avenging two losses to the Ukrainian side in the 2020-2021 group stages. The massive win, which came with Ferland Mendy back in the starting XI, also rectified an earlier loss to Sherrif.

Los Blancos will face Shakhtar at home on Wednesday evening, and they will want to improve on their recent home record. Real Madrid dropped points at the Santiago Bernabeu in their last mid-week fixture, as they were frustrated to a 0-0 draw with Osasuna.

They will have to win without Rodrygo Goes and Gareth Bale. The latter remains out with an injury he suffered earlier this season and probably won’t return until the international break. Meanwhile, Rodrygo picked up an injury this weekend against Elche.

With Real’s two best right wingers injured, let’s take a look at five players who could start in the attack against Shakhtar.

AM Marco Asensio

I know, I know, Marco Asensio is the last player most Madridistas want to see starting. He had to play the majority of the match against Elche due to Rodrygo’s injury, and he was even worse on Saturday afternoon than Wednesday night against Osasuna.

Asensio is not a right winger. That much is obvious and was obvious before the season started. But notice that I have Asensio listed as an attacking midfielder and not a right winger. That was the position he played against Mallorca when he dazzled everyone with a hat-trick.

He must prove that performance was not a mirage. If the first fixture was anything to go by, there are goals to be had for Real Madrid against Shakhtar Donetsk. Asensio could be an option, but only if he is an attacking midfielder. Even then, he isn’t the most inspiring option on this list.