Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk, Champions League: times, TV and how to watch online
Matchday 3 in Group F sees Ukrainian side Shakhtar visit the Santiago Bernabeu as Madrid look to record their third group stage game win.
Real Madrid are back in Champions League action at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night as they face Shakhtar Donetsk in matchday 3 of Group F with coach Carlo Ancelotti stating that his side ‘need to be at their best’ after a disappointing draw in LaLiga at the weekend which saw their 100% win record come to an end.
Karim Benzema missed a late penalty on Sunday as Madrid dropped their first points of the season in the league after being held 1-1 at home by Osasuna who had been reduced to 10 men late on.
Ancelotti stressed to his players that they need to up their game at home on Wednesday against a Shakhtar side who are unbeaten in their two Champions League games so far, the second being a 4-1 thrashing of RB Leipzig.
The Ukrainian club are second in the group on four points, behind leaders Real on six after the win in Leiping and a 1-1 draw with Glasgow Celtic in their temporary home of Warsaw.
What time does Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk kick off?
The Champions League action between Madrid and Shakhtar gets underway at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, (Madrid), on Wednesday 5 October 2022 at 3:00 pm US (ET) and 12:00 pm US (PT).
That’s 9:00 pm CET and 8:00 pm UK time.
Find out what time Madrid-Shakhtar starts if you’re elsewhere in the world.
Where can I watch Real Madrid vs Shakhtar in the US and UK?
In the US and UK, the following television channels and online services will be broadcasting Inter Milan vs Barcelona:
US: VIX+, Paramount+,
UK: BTSport.com, BT Sport 6
Find out who is showing Real Madrid vs Shakhtar elsewhere in the world.
Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk: AS USA live coverage
You’ll also be able to follow live-text coverage of the action from Madrid right here at AS USA. We’ll be building up to the game from about an hour ahead of kick-off, before taking you through the action as it unfolds.
Ancelotti: pre-game
Speaking to the media ahead of Wednesday’s clash, Italian coach Ancelotti claimed: “We want to improve and show another attitude, another identity considering that we are going to play against a dangerous team that started the group very well”.
“I think it is clear that we did not play our best game on Sunday. We all know that it is a very important game to get to nine points and we are well prepared for it.”
The Italian also backed Benzema to find his form again after returning from a three-week knee injury layoff and that the penalty miss against Osasuna was not a concern.
“When Karim plays a game in which he doesn’t show the level that is expected from him, there will be criticism. That’s normal, but it doesn’t affect us,” Ancelotti said.
The manager may have some selection issues in midfield on Wednesday as he was not sure if veteran playmaker Luka Modric would be fit to start. However, he expected goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to be back from injury in time for the Clasico against rivals Barcelona on Oct. 16.
Shakhtar pre-game
Talking to the press on Tuesday pre-game, Mykhailo Mudryk, Shakhtar midfielder claimed: “We’ve watched one or two of Real Madrid’s matches: the ones against Osasuna and Atlético, as well as selected clips from other games. We know what their strengths and weaknesses are.”
Shakhtar’s only away win against Real Madrid was at the compact Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, where the club played their 2020/21 home games due to ongoing renovation work at the Bernabeu.
The Ukrainian side are managed by Croatian Igor Jovićević who had a spell with Real Madrid Castilla as a young player at the start of the 1990s. Hs Shakhtar team top the Ukrainian top flight, remaining unbeaten after five games.
Real Madrid-Shakhtar: match official
Tonight’s referee at the Bernabeu is Slovakian official Ivan Kružliak, who will be assisted by compatriots, Branislav Hancko and Jan Pozor, with the fourth official Peter Kralović.
Tonight’s Video Assistant Referee is Italy’s Massimiliano Irrati.
Real Madrid-Shakhtar: recent head-to-head
2021: Champions League (Group D): Real Madrid 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
2021: Champions League (Group D): Shakhtar Donetsk 0-5 Real Madrid
2020: Champions League (Group B): Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Real Madrid
2020: Champions League (Group B): Real Madrid 2-3 Shakhtar Donetsk
2015: Champions League (Group A): Shakhtar Donetsk 3-4 Real Madrid