UEFA Champions League 2020/21: Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid – tactical analysis

Shakhtar Donetsk successfully completed the double against Real Madrid in the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League.

The win leaves the Ukrainian side in total control of their knockout round destiny. With the win, Shakhtar have now matched Real Madrid’s seven points, hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their two victories over the Spanish giants and sit just a point behind Borussia Mönchengladbach. Depending on the result of the Real Madrid versus Mönchengladbach game, Shakhtar could need a win against Inter Milan to advance, but their destiny is fully within their hands.

Zinedine Zidane’s side still control their destiny as well, but the loss now puts them in a position where they must defeat Mönchengladbach to progress. With Zidanes job security on the line, the next two matches are critical for this Real Madrid side.

In this tactical analysis, the first look at the role Toni Kroos played in the first half within his side’s tactics, then progress to show how Shakhtar countered with their defensive press. Though Real Madrid had a strong first half, they were unable to put the ball in the back of the net. This analysis will conclude with a look at why Real Madrid failed to beat the Shakhtar press, looking specifically at how their ineffective wing play limit limited their opportunities on goal.

Lineups

With Casemiro on the bench, Zidane went with the 4-2-3-1 that he has used in recent weeks. Thibaut Courtois received the start in goal with a backline consisting of Lucas Vázquez, Raphaël Varane, Nacho Fernández and Ferland Mendy. Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos operated as the double pivots while the line of attacking midfielders was formed by Rodrygo Goes, Martin Ødegaard and Marco Asensio. Up top, Karim Benzema returned from injury to make the start.

For Shakhtar, Luís Castro used the same 4-1-4-1 formation that he had used in the first match against Real Madrid. He called upon the 19-year-old Ukrainian international, Anatoliy Trubin, to make another start in goal. The backline consisted of Dodô, Valeriy Bondar, Vitão and Mykola Matviyenko. In midfield, Taras Stepanenko was the lone pivot with Viktor Kovalenko and Marlos in front of him. Taison made the start on the left while Tetê earned his place on the right. That left Júnior Moraes as the lone striker, though he would exit the game with an injury in the 25th minute, leaving Dentinho to replace him.

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