NEWS | 21/10/2020 | Javier Vázquez
The Alfredo Di Stéfano is set to host its first-ever European Cup fixture (6:55pm CET).Once Jovanović blows his whistle, Real Madrid will embark on a 51st European Cup campaign, the last 24 of which have come in consecutive seasons. The Di Stéfano will witness a game of such prestige for the first time as Madrid bid to extend their unbeaten home record against Ukrainian opposition. Shakhtar have already come up against the madridistas.
MADRID CRUISED TO VICTORY OVER SHAKHTAR IN THEIR ONLY VISIT TO THE BERNABÉU (4-0).
The Champions League is a competition that demands you give 100% right from the first game. "We want and expect a lot from the Champions League", commented Zidane in his pre-match press conference. For the European curtain-raiser, the Frenchman, who will have to do without Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Martin Ødegaard, Dani Carvajal and Álvaro Odriozola, has named a squad of 19 players.
Reigning Ukrainian champions
For a fourth successive year, Shakhtar head into the continent's elite club competition as the defending Ukrainian champions. Luis Castro's charges currently lie third in the league after having taken 12 points from their opening six outings. The squad features a number of Brazilian players ((Maycon, Tetê, Marcos Antonio, Marlos, Dentinho…), but the visitors' standout man is Ukrainian Viktor Kovalenko, who has found the net four times in his last three games
