MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 12:09:53| >> :60:1724:1724:
[monks data]
Shakhtar Donetsk
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 11, 2022 at 8pm UK
Stadion Miejski Legii Warszawa im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego
Real Madrid logo

Shakhtar
1 - 1
Real Madrid

Zubkov (46')
Konoplya (16'), Bondarenko (88')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Rudiger (90+5')
Militao (85'), Kroos (90')

Karim Benzema returns but duo still absent for Real Madrid against Shakhtar Donetsk

Benzema returns but duo still absent for Real Madrid against Shakhtar
© Reuters
Karim Benzema returns to the Real Madrid squad against Shakhtar Donetsk, but Thibaut Courtois and Dani Ceballos remain absent.

Karim Benzema has returned to the Real Madrid squad for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The France international missed out against Getafe in La Liga at the weekend, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti deciding to rest him due to muscular fatigue.

Benzema is back in the squad for this contest, though, with Real Madrid looking to make it four straight victories in the group stage and secure their spot in the knockout round of the competition.

"Karim is fine and it is clear that tomorrow he starts," said Ancelotti when questioned on the fitness of the centre-forward during his pre-match press conference.

The 34-year-old has scored four times in eight appearances for the reigning European and Spanish champions this season, but he is yet to find the back of the net in the Champions League.

Eder Militao celebrates scoring for Real Madrid on October 8, 2022© Reuters

Eder Militao, who scored the winner against Getafe in the league at the weekend, is also in the squad despite Ancelotti claiming that the centre-back was suffering with 'muscle spasms'.

The Real Madrid head coach will not take any chances with the Brazilian's fitness ahead of El Clasico, so Antonio Rudiger could potentially line up alongside David Alaba in the middle of the defence.

However, Thibaut Courtois remains out of action, with the Belgium international not risked due to a troublesome back problem, which has seen him miss his side's three matches.

"Courtois is much better, the plan is to start training on Thursday and be ready for Sunday. We've talked to him and he's much better," said Ancelotti on Monday, with the stopper in line to return against Barcelona.

Thibaut Courtois in action for Real Madrid on August 10, 2022© Reuters

Andriy Lunin will therefore start between the sticks once again, and Ancelotti has praised the Ukraine international ahead of the contest with Shakhtar.

"I always talk to Lunin because he plays well. He is young and has a lot of quality," said the Italian.

"He is very shy, and does not talk much. It is normal that everything that happens impacts him. The only thing we can do is to support him."

As well as Courtois, Dani Ceballos remains on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, although the Spanish midfielder could be back in early November, with the issue not believed to be as serious as initially thought.

Real Madrid squad vs. Shakhtar Donetsk:

Lunin, Lopez, Canizares; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Rudiger, Mendy; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Vazquez, Tchouameni; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano

ID:496659:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4856:
Written by
Matt Law
No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Karim Benzema

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Game History

How you voted: Shakhtar vs Real Madrid

Shakhtar Donetsk
11.5%
Draw
11.8%
Real Madrid
76.7%
331
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Thibaut Courtois in action for Real Madrid on August 10, 2022
Read Next:
Carlo Ancelotti provides Thibaut Courtois fitness update
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool870121
QInter Milan861119
QBarcelona861119
QArsenal861119
QAtletico860218
QB. Leverkusen851216
QAston Villa851216
QLille851216
9Real Madrid850315
10AC Milan850315
11Atalanta843115
12Dortmund850315
13Bayern850315
14PSV842214
15Benfica841313
16Feyenoord841313
17PSG841313
18Monaco841313
19Brest841313
20Juventus833212
21Celtic833212
22Man City832311
23Sporting Lisbon832311
24Brugge832311
25Dinamo Zagreb832311
26Stuttgart831410
27Shakhtar82157
28Bologna81346
29Red Star82066
30Sturm Graz82066
31Sparta Prague81164
32RB Leipzig81073
33Girona81073
34Salzburg81073
35Slovan Bratislava80080
36Young Boys80080


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!