Shakhtar welcome Real to the Warsaw Asylum: They have it terribly difficult, they play for the Ukrainian people. We have great respect for them, says Ancelotti

Real Madrid travel to Poland to take on Legia Warsaw in the fourth round of the Champions League. However, they will not be playing the local Legia, but Shakhtar Donetsk, who are playing in an asylum due to the war in Ukraine. Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti has expressed words of support for his opponent.

The two teams met last week. Shakhtar knew they had nothing to lose against the defending Champions League champions, so they decided to play it straight. Real went 2:0 up, threw away 5 more chances and could have easily led 7:0 before half-time, but Shakhtar eventually reduced it to 1:2 and that’s how the match ended.

It left a very nice impression in Madrid that he didn’t come to “concrete” in the penalty area and tried to play positions in the small penalty area and at Santiago Bernabéu, which not many teams allow.

Shakhtar have Real Madrid in the group for the third time in a row, but to their great misfortune they could only face the European giant once in front of their home fans. The season before last, the stadiums were closed due to covid, last year the fans saw Benzema and co. live, this year the situation is most serious.

Due to the war in Ukraine, Shakhtar cannot play their matches in their home country and have had to take refuge in the Polish city of Warsaw. Prague Slavia also played at the Polish Army Stadium last year.

“I spoke to Jovićević during the first match. They are working in very difficult conditions, we are in solidarity with them and we have great respect for them. To want to play in such a difficult situation means a lot to them and they want to bring some joy to the Ukrainian people who are suffering so much,” Carlo Ancelotti was heard saying at the press conference.

Benzema yes, Vinícius no?

At the same time, the Italian coach gently declassified the question marks surrounding the line-up. Vinícius probably won’t start, while Karim Benzema, who didn’t play against Getafe at the weekend, will be missing from the starting line-up.

“Vinícius is one of the players I have to consider. He played all the games, he played on Saturday night, plus the travel yesterday. Karim is doing well and it’s clear he will start the game, as will Kroos and Mendy. They are rested, fresh and will play,” Ancelotti explained the rotation during this week heading into Sunday’s El Clásico.

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