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.
RW Lucas Vazquez
Next, we move to Lucas Vazquez, who has done a serviceable job lately at the right back position. The Galician wide man is the preferred emergency option to Dani Carvajal, but after getting some rest, the prolific right back should be in the XI on Wednesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu.
If so, that opens up Vazquez to get a start at the right wing position. While he is not a standout attacking player, Vazquez can help out defensively and combine well with Carvajal. Remember how good those two were together in the first Derbi of the 2020-2021 season?
So far this season, the 30-year-old has made just one start on the right wing. His most attacking role was in the first Champions League fixture against Inter, but he had an even bigger role in the attack against Shakhtar last time out with two key passes, two fouls drawn, and a dribble completed, per WhoScored.com. And really, that’s all he needs to do. Work hard, create some chances, and fight to win free kicks for David Alaba, Toni Kroos, and Co.
Vazquez can put in a sharp cross and do plenty of recovering. He is a safer option than Marco Asensio and a couple of the other ideas. Because at least with Vazquez, you know you are getting effort and some positive influence. His goal against Barcelona, which proved decisive in three points at the Camp Nou, exemplified that.
AM Eden Hazard
Now let’s discuss the odds-on favorite of Madridistas to start on Wednesday afternoon at the Bernabeu. Eden Hazard is still searching for his first goal of the 2021-2022 campaign, though he surely would have netted this weekend at Elche if Mariano Diaz saw the Belgian running centrally into the penalty box.
While Hazard has not made a big impact in terms of his end product, Madridistas who have watched the No. 7 closely can see the positive traits are very much there. Hazard has been creating chances for teammates and making all the right moves off the ball in the attack. It’s just that he’s not nearly as impactful as Vinicius Junior, and it’s tough for Carlo Ancelotti to start Hazard when his lacking defensive contributions leave Los Blancos vulnerable.
That said, we have seen 343 minutes of Hazard in LaLiga and one Champions League start. He could very well get another 60-70 minutes at the Bernabeu this week, and he could very well contribute to a goal against Shakhtar.
Defensive stability will be crucial if Hazard starts, but with Toni Kroos and Ferland Mendy back to 100 percent, Real Madrid stand a much better chance of providing the necessary spine for Hazard to roam free.
Hazard does not have many more chances to make an impression at the Bernabeu, but the fans are very much rooting for the 100 million euro man to turn it around. It’s hard to see Ancelotti NOT giving Hazard a chance.
AM Isco
It’s unclear if Isco is at 100 percent yet, but he has resumed training with the rest of the team after missing some time with an injury. Isco is another player who is struggling for consistency and fitness, but he is also just as much of a joy to watch on his day as Eden Hazard. Like Hazard, he is a true playmaker who can carry the ball and create gorgeous chances from nothing. And that’s not even getting into the beauty of his curling shots.
Isco could be another option in a free role. He has shown a willingness to run this season, impressing early in the season when Carlo Ancelotti did give him a run of matches. The former Malaga star is someone loads of great managers appreciate, because they understand his quality when he is on his “A” game.
Since he is just returning from an injury, Isco probably would not be in an optimal state to deliver his very best against Shakhtar Donetsk, which, contrary to the 5-0 scoreline a couple of weeks ago, are a tough outfit.
Isco has a goal, 1.7 dribbles completed per game, and 90 percent of his passes completed in LaLiga this season. He has been maligned by many fans, but he can help the team. If we are talking about consistency, he has an edge over Marco Asensio in that department, judging by what the ex-Mallorca man has produced since in the matches other than the one against his former club.
ST Luka Jovic
Maybe as you were reading through this piece you thought I would forget about Luka Jovic. But no, how could I forget about one of the famous Lukas of Real Madrid? And I do not think Carlo Ancelotti forgot about him either.
Jovic suffered a recent injury but was in the squad for Saturday’s match against Elche, as Ancelotti held out hope for him to start at striker. He was not fit for the match, as stated by the team doctors, so Real rightfully held him out and started Mariano Diaz instead.
The Serbian international is training with the team now, and so there is reason to believe he is healthy enough to return. Jovic nearly scored against Sheriff, and with transfer rumors still rolling, you just know that the young man is itching to bang home some more goals. He knows he has to take advantage of every little opportunity he gets. Starting in the Champions League, of course, is no little opportunity.
Jovic has the quality to make life miserable for the Shakhtar defense. If he is able to play, a striker partnership of Karim Benzema and Luka Jovic could be a delight to watch on the fourth Matchday of the 2021-2022 Champions League. He may be last on this list, but the former Eintracht Frankfurt man is certainly not the least worthy option. Alongside the renowned Eden Hazard, he is one of the best options Ancelotti has with Rodrygo and Bale ruled out of the attack.
And remember, he can impact the game even when he does not score. Jovic has an assist this season in the league and is the kind of player who can create chances with subtle movements and touches in the box. Madridistas should not forget his duo of backheels in his debut season with the club. They were glimpses of his underrated all-around quality.