Twitter in Meltdown as Real Madrid Fall to ANOTHER Champions League Defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk
In any normal season, Real Madrid would not fear a trip to Ukraine to take on Shakhtar Donetsk.
However, this is not a normal season. Already this campaign, Los Blancos have been humbled by Valencia, edged out by Alaves and of course, defeated by a coronavirus-stricken Shakhtar.
Surely lightning wouldn't strike twice though, right? Right?! RIGHT???!!!
Wrong.
? FP: @FCShakhtar 2-0 @RealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 1, 2020
⚽ Dentinho 57', Solomon 82'#Emirates | #RMUCL pic.twitter.com/Fv2hzHSPgx
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. How on Earth did this happen?
Well, it didn't always look like Real were doomed for another embarrassing defeat - far from it. Zinedine Zidane's side actually started the game pretty promisingly. Martin Odegaard was picking up some nice pockets of space and even the much maligned Marco Asensio was impressing.
Don't believe us? Luckily social media has the proof.
Half time thoughts:
— Real Madrid Analysis (@rmdanalysis) December 1, 2020
- Asensio has been the best player (should have had a few goals, but has created more opportunities than anyone else)
- Nacho and Vazquez are not good enough for RM depth
- Benzema/Rodrygo must do more
- Solid shift from Kroos, playing deep again
Half-time thoughts:
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) December 1, 2020
• Asensio has looked good so far, involved in a lot of plays and gotten on the end of two good chances.
• Ødegaard has had some neat touches, and looks to link our attack together.
• The midfield trio has performed as expected, and has controlled play.
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 Real Madrid half-time. Madrid playing fairly well, created a few chances. Asensio looking better than he has for a while. Odegaard good too.
— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) December 1, 2020
After the break, things went downhill - fast.
With 57 minutes on the clock, Dentinho made the most of some hilariously static defending from Raphael Varane, darting onto a loose ball and smashing it past Thibaut Courtois.
It was the latest in a long line of Champions League mistakes for the big Frenchman... as social media was more than happy to point out.
Dentinho has scored two goals in the #UCL throughout his career:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 1, 2020
⚽️ vs. Real Madrid
⚽️ vs. Real Madrid
Over five years since his last goal in the competition. pic.twitter.com/7lmeeEjs3C
3 - Raphaël Varane has made more errors leading to goals in the Champions League than any other player since the start of 2020 (3). Strange. pic.twitter.com/jGbdv90UBU
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 1, 2020
Varane hasn't been the same since that game against City. Jesus truly changes lives
— Tega ? (@haa_ree0) December 1, 2020
Varane since the Round of 16 match against City. pic.twitter.com/0abT0yXetg
— Zlatan's burner (@manlikefola_) December 1, 2020
After this setback, Real tried to rally but, in truth, they never looked like breaking the hosts down.
Few could complain when Shakhtar made it 2-0 - particularly as Manor Solomon's goal was so brilliant. Picking the ball up from deep, Real just kept backing off and off, and they were punished when Solomon produced an unstoppable finish from just inside the box.
"He ran, he drove, he struck and he has struck gold!"
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 1, 2020
Shakhtar's Manor Solomon finds the bottom corner emphatically to put Real Madrid out of the qualifying places going into Group B's final match day! ? pic.twitter.com/TrVjgrq0Pt
Manor Soloman a great wee player. What a goal.
— Richie G (@TheBlandFan) December 1, 2020
manor soloman is a beast of a player
— ross (@rduncan39) December 1, 2020
That was all she wrote with Shakhtar sealing the win and securing a famous Champions League double over the most successful team in the competition's history.
As has often been the case in recent weeks, many people chose to lay the blame squarely at Zidane's door. To be fair, Real did look pretty aimless but is sacking Zizou really the way to go?
Some people certainly seemed to think so...
Whatever happens, this result has set up a nail biting climax to Group B, and we cannot wait.
Real Madrid in the Europa League: ??? Well done Zidane pic.twitter.com/z4F2Gx0IzN
— ? (@the__baffa) December 1, 2020
nah zidane deserves the sack ffs pic.twitter.com/ZvNloFQaPw
— ͏Ziga ?? (@xrashyyx) December 1, 2020
The players, Zidane and the board should consider themselves lucky because the Bernabeu faithful wouldn't be gentle with this Real Madrid team.
— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) December 1, 2020
Zidane in the press conference after the game pic.twitter.com/OdJhnKcvXL
— ^ (@Yanitedholic) December 1, 2020