The cross-complaint about a penalty shortfall marked Osasuna’s 2022 season with a dented outlook, a reminder that a single moment can tilt the balance in a tight campaign. In contrast, Karim Benzema looked to respond decisively in a Champions League showdown, aiming to change the mood of a group stage that had already posed plenty of tests for Real Madrid. His focus was clear: strike first and strike hard in a competition that has long defined his career and the club’s ambitions.
Champions League history has been kind to Benzema, who sits among the sport’s all-time great scorers and has often stood as a central figure in Madrid’s most high-stakes battles. He sits behind only the very top legends in the annals of European football, yet he has carried Real Madrid through countless nights when the stakes felt impossibly high. After a recent delay due to injury, he returned to the stage at Celtic Park with a determination to prove himself once more in Europe’s premier club competition.
His recent form travels with him: four goals in seven appearances last season, and a growing expectation that he and Vinícius Jr. will lead the Madrid attack again. Standing in his way is a Shakhtar Donetsk side that has found a way to trouble European giants in recent outings, scoring three times in their last two matches while totaling four goals across six games. The French forward, coupled with his Brazilian partner, remains a reliable cornerstone for Madrid’s offensive plans as Carlo Ancelotti lines up his best available XI following the international break.
Real Madrid’s domestic form had slipped from its previous high, bringing a draw that ended a long streak of wins and nudging Barcelona into the league lead. The aim now is a measured rhythm in the Champions League group, with rotation designed to keep key players fresh ahead of a demanding schedule. Ancelotti’s squad is ready to bank a solid result that would push Real Madrid toward a clearer path in Europe while maintaining pressure in La Liga. Luka Modrić, among others, returns to the fold as Madrid seeks balance across a busy period, with tactical adjustments expected as the season progresses.
The Croatian veteran is nearing full fitness after a minor hip issue, and while Thibaut Courtois remains unavailable, Andriy Lunin steps in to gain vital experience in the Champions League. The on-pitch return of Lucas Vázquez and the ongoing absence of Dani Ceballos due to a muscle concern add to the strategic considerations for Madrid, who will rely on Fede Valverde’s energy and creativity as a key to a strong start to the campaign.
Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk repeat their Champions League group-stage meetings for a third straight edition. The Ukrainian side, now infused with a Brazilian influence in their approach, has shown it can beat Madrid outside the Bernabéu, having done so in previous encounters. This time the venue is Madrid’s home stadium, a stage the hosts will want to use to reassert themselves after recent domestic wobbliness. Shakhtar arrive undefeated in their league and with a recent win over a Spanish opponent in their pocket, underscoring the challenge Madrid faces in a match that could set the tone for the group.
Shakhtar’s journey this season has been marked by adversity as well as resilience. The Donetsk club has faced extraordinary circumstances, including the impact of war on its home bases and the realities of playing away from their traditional stadiums. The squad blends Ukrainian resilience with a Brazilian flair in attack, a combination that has yielded dangerous moments for Madrid in the past. Coach Igor Jovicevic has leaned on a core group of Ukrainians, supported by a frontline trio of Zubkov, Shved, and Mudryk as the principal attacking threat in Europe this term. The experience of veteran midfielders like Stepanenko continues to anchor the team as they navigate a season full of uncertainty.
Possible lineups: Real Madrid could line Lunin between the sticks, with Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, and either Mendy or Nacho in the backline. In midfield, Tchouameni and Valverde might team up with Kroos to control the tempo, while Rodrygo and Vinícius Jr. offer width and pace with Benzema leading the line. Shakhtar’s arrangement could feature Trubin in goal, with Taylor or Mykhailichenko at right-back, and a central defense pairing of Matvienko and Bondar, plus Konoplya at left-back. The midfield could be anchored by Stepanenko and Sudakov, with Zubkov, Mudryk, and Shved or Sikan providing attacking options. The referee for this clash is Ivan Kružliak from Slovakia, and the venue is the Santiago Bernabéu with kickoff scheduled for 21:00.