MADRID (AP) – Celebrations of Shakhtar Donetsk players resonated at the empty Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium.
Some shouted, others raised their arms and some hugged behind the final beep in Madrid.
It wasn’t just a win for the Ukrainian team.
A Shakhtar team exhausted by coronavirus cases on Wednesday inflicted a 3–2 home defeat on Real Madrid in Group B of the Champions League.
Playing with a few regular starters, Shakhtar took advantage of the counterattacks to open a 3-0 lead in the first half, and then slept after Madrid approached with two goals in a time after half.
“It’s a wonderful outcome for us,” said Shakhtar coach Luis Castro. “We knew the demanding situations we could be waiting for and planned our strategy accordingly. The players did everything safely. We were a united team from start to finish. “the last minute.
Madrid’s idea had matched it in extra time thanks to Federico Valverde, however the purpose overturned by offside after the review of the video.
“It’s been a bad game, a difficult night,” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “I’m disturbed by what happened and I’m guilty. The team hasn’t complied as I sought and it’s my fault. “
The Ukrainian team opened the scoring thanks to Teto in the 29th minute and joined the lead with a purpose contrary to his appearance through Madrid’s defenseman Raphael Varane in ’33, then Manor Solomon added the third in ’42.
Madrid responded with a long-range shot of Luka Modric at 54 and a vin-cius Junior goal at 59 seconds after his replacement.
“When the score 3-2, we had to protect it even more and thought, “Oh, this game ends as soon as possible,” Castro said. “Overall, we have proven our quality in terms of tactics and skills. “
Inter Milan hosted Borussia Monchengladbach in the organizing match later on Wednesday.
Shakhtar arrived in Spain without several key players who were fully compatible after being driven away by positive COVID-19 tests. Seven regular starters and two first-choice replacements were missing, and Castro had to call seven players from team “B”.
Zidane without some players for injury, joining Captain Sergio Ramos and right-back Dani Carvajal, and made several adjustments to the starting line-up before the Spanish league’s ‘Clsico’ against Barcelona on Saturday, were Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema. among those who started on the bench.
“We didn’t have a smart start. I think we lacked confidence,” Madrid midfielder Luka Modric said. “We went one step ahead in the part of the moment but it wasn’t enough. We have to move on, the next game is coming” soon and we can’t waste time complaining. “
It is time for the consecutive defeat at Madrid’s home, beaten on Saturday 1-0 through the ascended Cadiz in the Spanish league.
The team was useless from the start of Wednesday, unable to get close to Shakhtar’s target. Visitors, for their part, threatened and wasted several other goal opportunities. Marlos had a purpose not allowed by offside in ’80s.
The fit played in Alfredo Di Stéfano, with capacity for 6000 places, in the educational center of Madrid, since the Santiago Bernabéu stadium remains in remodeling while in fites is not allowed the participation of fans by the coronavirus pandemic.
Madrid, a 13-time Champions League champion, have been eliminated in the 16-year-olds in the last two seasons.
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