Rüdiger saves Real Madrid in Warsaw

Rüdiger saves Real Madrid in Warsaw

A goal from the German central defender in 95 allowed the European champions to get a point against Shakhtar and qualify for the Champions League round of 16

MADRID, 11 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid suffered the unspeakable to scratch a point in their visit to Warsaw this Tuesday and seal their ticket to the round of 16 of the 2022-2023 Champions League after drawing one goal against an orderly and seasoned Ukrainian Shakhtar Donetsk, at that Antonio Rüdiger deprived a joy in the 95th minute of a joy at a difficult moment for his country and his players.

The 'mining' team once again demonstrated that they know how to compete against the current European champion, whom they had on the ropes until the German center-back, a last-minute offensive solution, took advantage of a crazy and erratic exit from Trubin to sign the tie when the clash was dying

The German could hardly celebrate his goal, dizzy after the impact of the goalkeeper that left him with a bloody face. A goal that kept Real Madrid undefeated in the season and served to secure a place among the crosses, but not yet first place in the group, with a four-point advantage over German Leipzig.

Shakhtar dreamed of a high-spirited victory until Rüdiger's header balanced Zubkov's goal at the start of the second half and once again showed some defensive weakness of Ancelotti's men who did not leave their best image days before the Clásico.

The Italian coach took advantage of the game and the full number of points to give Lucas Vázquez, Nacho and, above all, Eden Hazard a minute, but the Belgian was not very bright and was barely able to connect with Karim Benzema and Rodrygo Goes, his teammates in an attack where Vinicius Jr finally rested, although the Brazilian played when his team went for a draw.

The 14-time European champion came out very focused and dominated a Shakhtar, who tried unsuccessfully and had to end up taking refuge near Trubin. He did it with order and discipline, which prevented his goalkeeper from having too much work except for a shot from Benzema in the 18th minute.

The locals sought to take advantage of the speed of Mudryk and Zubkov to surprise, but ran into a great Nacho Fernández, who was responsible for aborting all of his rival's attempts with high-level crosses. In a not very fluid first half, the final stretch was away to the visitors with chances for Benzema, Rodrygo and Valverde.

After passing through the changing rooms, Shakhtar surprised Real Madrid somewhat 'asleep' and punished him. Mudryk sent a good ball to Mendy's back and Zubkov appeared there to head into the net to make it 1-0, which completely changed the script of the match and forced the current champion to put it one more gear.

Tchouameni and Benzema had good warnings to equalize before Ancelotti did not wait too long to bring Vinicius and Modric into the field, without too good a result, especially since the tireless work of Igor Jovicevic's men neutralized any attempt by the Brazilian winger.

Thus, the Ukrainian team had their option to 'kill' the match, but Traoré, despite Lunin's good start, did not hit the goal and ran into the crossbar. The Ukrainian goalkeeper put in a good hand after a dangerous shot from an animated Zubkov. Asensio, Alaba and Camavinga, in one go, were Ancelotti's last solutions to try to get something positive out of the Polish capital.

Shakhtar was paying for the effort and it was costing them more and more to deploy. Real Madrid squeezed and touched the goal in a cross from Vinicius that Asensio narrowly missed and with a header from the Brazilian that went over the crossbar when he was in a good position. The game was coming to an end and Ancelotti sent Rüdiger into the rival area and there he connected with Kroos. His compatriot's first delivery nearly sent him into the net, the second, with some help from Trubin, served up a valuable sweat-and-blood point.

--RESULT: SHAKHTAR DONETSK, 1 - REAL MADRID, 1 (0-0, at halftime).

SHAKHTAR DONETSK: Trubin; Mykhaylichenko, Bondar, Matviyenko, Konoplya; Stepanenko; Zubkov (Lucas Taylor, min. 81), Sudakov (Djurasek, min. 81), Bondarenko; Mudryk (Petriak, min. 85), and Traoré (Sykan, min. 76).

REAL MADRID: Lunín; Lucas Vázquez, Nacho, Rüdiger, Mendy (Alaba, min.68); Kroos, Tchouameni (Modric, min.57), Valverde (Camavinga, min.68); Rodrygo (Asensio, min.68), Benzema and Hazard (Vinicius, min.57).

1-0, minuto 46. Zubkov.

1-1, minute 95. Rüdiger.

--REFEREE: Orel Grinfeeld (ISR). He booked Konoplya (min.16), Bondarenko (min.88) for Shakhtar, and Militao (min.85) and Kroos (min.90), for Real Madrid.

--STADIUM: Municipal Marshal Józef Pilsudski.