Real Madrid are on the verge of an early exit from the Champions League after losing to Shakhtar twice. Zinedine Zidane’s fate in the club relies on the match.
Injury-plagued Real Madrid will witness of their skipper Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal. Real Madrid, who have never failed to make it out of the groups, host Group B leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach on Wednesday needing to better Shakhtar Donetsk’s result against Inter Milan in order to progress.
A draw will be enough for Zinedine Zidane’s team if Shakhtar Donetsk loses at Inter Milan.
The draw would also secure Mönchengladbach its first appearance in the knockout phase in the Champions League era. Only victory will be enough for Inter, while draws in both matches will allow Mönchengladbach and Shakhtar to advance.
Zidane will welcome back captain Sergio Ramos to the side after the defender missed the last six games through injury.
Full-back Dani Carvajal also took a full part in training on Tuesday, having been absent for the side’s last four matches. However, forward Luka Jovic will miss out after suffering an adductor problem.
Despite this, things are fairly straightforward for Zinedine Zidane’s side. Victory over Gladbach, who lead the group, would confirm Real Madrid’s spot in the last season and a draw may also be enough though it would require Inter Milan to beat Shakhtar.
Gladbach had the opportunity to secure their qualification last week, after opening the group with two draws and two wins. However, a defeat to Inter Milan means they could still drop into the Europa League.
They did not have the best preparation for the match either, drawing with Freiburg in the Bundesliga while Real Madrid drew with Sevilla.
As things stand, 13-time European champions Real Madrid are on their way to the Europa League, third in Group B with just seven points from their opening five games. They have lost two of those games, both coming against Shakhtar Donetsk including last week’s defeat has them below the Ukrainian side.
⚽️ Real Madrid vs Borussia Moenchengladbach | Benzema (GOAL) 32′ #RMABMG pic.twitter.com/DDV5SNG0kh
— D9INE (@D9INE_FOREVER29) December 9, 2020