Nobody expected minions Sheriff to beat the 13-time European Champions Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, perhaps not even Sheriff themselves. But a stunning late goal by Sébastian Thill secured a 2-1 victory for the Moldovan club, thus making Madrid’s trip to face Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday all the more decisive.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid: times, TV and how to watch online
Having won their first game against Inter Milan, Los Blancos sit second in the table with three points behind Sheriff on six points. While it wouldn’t call for panic stations, anything less than a win could potentially take Madrid’s qualifying hopes out of their own hands, a scenario that would depend on Inter beating Sheriff in Milan in the other Group D fixture (and convincingly should Madrid manage to earn a point in Kiev).
"We know it is a very important game. Especially because of the last game we lost at home. We don't have much more room to make mistakes,” said Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.
With the likes of Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio out, Karim Benzema and Vinicius will likely start up front with Rodrygo, with the veteran trio of Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos behind them. There had been some injury concerns with Eder Militao and David Alaba after the pair had picked up knocks while on international duty with Brazil and Austria, respectively, but they now look set to start in the centre of defence.
