Shakhtar Donetsk will recall tales of a famous victory away to Real Madrid forever and a day, yet for Los Blancos it will stand as a dark day in the club's history and one which has several key contributing factors behind it.
Zinedine Zidane is facing a difficult challenge to get things back on track in the Spanish capital, especially with their next challenge being the small matter of the first Clasico of the campaign.
With the French coach having admitted he has made mistakes with his team selections of late, the defeats to Cadiz and Shakhtar Donetsk could mark his second stint in charge at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Yet, is he completely to blame? A significant portion of the fanbase suggests no, however there are a significant number of problems at the club that were always going to lead to a night like Wednesday.
1. Zidane's experiments and the absence of a consistent XI
There was a time at Real Madrid when Zidane's backup team was made up of players of a certain stature: James Rodriguez, Isco, Marco Asensio, Mateo Kovacic and Alvaro Morata.
The present backup unit are not at that level and in a period of recession in Spanish football, decisions have been made which have left Zidane with an even weaker backup group than fans could have imagined.
In a season when matches will generally come every three days, Zidane has been forced to maintain his blind faith in rotations and selection experiments, but to this point that has only contributed to inconsistent performances and injuries.
Perhaps the most telling factor is that few supporters are capable of listing just what is the club's best XI that could start against Barcelona in an ideal world.
2. A failed attacking decision
Zidane surprised everyone by omitting Karim Benzema from his starting XI against the Ukrainian side, yet what was even more of a shock was the fact Luka Jovic was selected ahead of him.
Bear in mind that just a few short weeks ago, Zidane told the Serbian he could leave the club on loan, yet there he was starting an important Champions League match.
Zidane is desperate to find a way to get Jovic up to speed and rhythm in Madrid now he is staying, but his system struggles to accommodate a pure centre-forward which qualities to distant from those held by Benzema.
Asensio and Rodrygo on either side of Jovic simply didn't work, there was a lack of balance and attacking impetus.
The lack of service to Jovic was telling and he isn't the player who feed off scraps or make chances of his own, he needs crosses.
3. A defence that can't function without Ramos
Real Madrid will have to replace Sergio Ramos for good one day, and that day is closer than it is further away.
Yet, it is becoming increasingly clear that this Los Blancos defence can't even function in matches without the presence of the club captain.
It's been a theme in recent months that when Ramos isn't around, the defence collapses, especially in Europe. Los Merengues have lost six of their last seven Champions League matches where Ramos hasn't played.
Against Shakhtar Donetsk the central defenders looked all at sea with Raphael Varane unable to cope with the challenge of leadership.
Next to him, Eder Militao had the look of a lost child at a shopping centre, he was way out of his depth and played a significant part in two of the three goals the team conceded.
Any aerial pass from the visitors looked like it could force open a chasm within the Real Madrid defence, and this is something that just can't happen, especially with Ramos' career in its closing act.
4. Zidane made serious tactical mistakes
Few have ever claimed that Zidane is the tactical mastermind that Pep Guardiola is or that Jose Mourinho was in his younger days, with the Frenchman's main strength in his first period at Real Madrid being his ability to galvanise a squad that had achieved everything already.
However, on Wednesday evening the former Castilla coach made serious tactical errors which cost the team.
Zidane maintains he will die with his belief that his team should always look to put pressure on opposition players, but in order to do that his entire squad must be balanced and united.
It's a system that can't afford individual mistakes, but also struggles against teams that have pace in attack.
A high defensive line can be caught with aerial passes as happened with both Cadiz and Shakhtar, and both Marlos and Tete had a field-day all night long.
5. Vinicius Jr used as a last hope
With Los Blancos making no signings in the summer, Vinicius Jr has reappeared. With Santiago Solari he was used as the player to make things happen but it wasn't the best solution. Solari was too reliant on a player of such tender years.
Upon making his way onto the pitch on Wednesday, it took the Brazilian 15 seconds to score and give the hosts hope of a dramatic comeback.
The problem is that Zidane has never given the Brazilian confidence but with Eden Hazard out injured, the coach has no choice but to pile all the pressure on Vinicius Jr in the Clasico, just as Solari did.
hepabiny
0
The problem is zinadine zidane, he only love France players like valane and benzima
lbt
1
reason for slow start? Bale effect....😁😁😁😁
suncelpu
2
6. The Ghost of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ameerul24
0
So that’s the excuse, you played shakhtar B team ffs🤦🏾♂️
thats the problem , not excuse. unlike your fans that say var everytime
Ameerul24
0
So that’s the excuse, you played shakhtar B team ffs🤦🏾♂️
thats the problem , not excuse. unlike your fans that say var everytimd
juaacdpt
3
insulting best defender in france
Ashx
0
Trust me, losing from teams like Cadiz and Shaktar is worst feeling than Barcelona losing to Bayern by 2-8🥺
That's a lie!!!
CooperativeSurgery7
1
Zidane out..
mowabemnou
1
why zidan not using in benzema first half
KingJimmy1994
0
then why lost to b team mm
Is this the first time for Real Madrid to lose to a B-team?
gallasyommy
6
In summary...Absence of RONALDO the GOAT and his heir JAMES RODRIGUEZ
mimeimnty
0
It really sickens me when I see people saying Real Madrid can’t win Champions league without Ronaldo. Since CR7 left Madrid, has he won the Champions League? CR7 is the best player in Real Madrid’s history thus far, but it doesn’t mean he’s bigger than our club. Great players have left the club and great players came in too. We had the likes of Alfredo Di Stephano, Zidane, Brazil’s Ronaldo, Figo and so forth, they all left and we welcome a new generation of players including CR7, Benzema and others. So this is not the time no mourn Ronaldo’s absence. Since CR7 left, he has not won the UCL with Juventus or even reached the Semi Finals due to the players he was surrounded by at Real Madrid.....
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then why lost to b team mm
TERABAAP
0
and 1 of those stats is varane
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He has won more Champions League than chelsea , have some level before sharing all these "🤡🌊" fans
FootballRealist
5
There is only 1 factor, Madrid sold CR7 there top scorer, yes they sold so many greats,but not there all time top scorer. They sold someone that can turn a match around just with his presence. Yes Juvi hasn’t performed as they lack the quality of Madrid players, but he always out performs his team. CR7 might be 35 but if I was Madrid I would of kept him until he retires. That’s what Barca wants to do with Messi. Let’s be honest, they are feeling it in CL and The players they have now are good but lack the experience of CL. Zidanes tactics has also changed and weirdly too. So I’m confused how he is putting his team together. Look MU is nowhere near as good but I’m just supporting my 2nd favorite team
Tuzbdnr
4
It the curse from Bale for Zidane n the real madrid fans for every humuliation n insult that he recieve from them.
Timmy123
2
So that’s the excuse, you played shakhtar B team ffs🤦🏾♂️
real_ultras
4
It was Shakhtar team B practically. No matter what selection Zidane had, we should have won. It's entirely players' fault. Even Castilla would have defeated them. Our players are getting lazy. That's all. Biggest disappointment is Varane, who is getting exposed in absence of Ramos.
kenyannerd
0
It really sickens me when I see people saying Real Madrid can’t win Champions league without Ronaldo. Since CR7 left Madrid, has he won the Champions League? CR7 is the best player in Real Madrid’s history thus far, but it doesn’t mean he’s bigger than our club. Great players have left the club and great players came in too. We had the likes of Alfredo Di Stephano, Zidane, Brazil’s Ronaldo, Figo and so forth, they all left and we welcome a new generation of players including CR7, Benzema and others. So this is not the time no mourn Ronaldo’s absence. Since CR7 left, he has not won the UCL with Juventus or even reached the Semi Finals due to the players he was surrounded by at Real Madrid.....
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I feel ya😜😢😒😒
KingJimmy1994
4
It really sickens me when I see people saying Real Madrid can’t win Champions league without Ronaldo. Since CR7 left Madrid, has he won the Champions League? CR7 is the best player in Real Madrid’s history thus far, but it doesn’t mean he’s bigger than our club. Great players have left the club and great players came in too. We had the likes of Alfredo Di Stephano, Zidane, Brazil’s Ronaldo, Figo and so forth, they all left and we welcome a new generation of players including CR7, Benzema and others. So this is not the time no mourn Ronaldo’s absence. Since CR7 left, he has not won the UCL with Juventus or even reached the Semi Finals due to the players he was surrounded by at Real Madrid.....
Tuzabcklm
0
zidane should by hallandale plz we need a good striker
meant to say halland
Tuzabcklm
3
zidane should by hallandale plz we need a good striker
Narayan27
2
I actually thought Varane was a great defender but it looks like he lacks the leadership skill that a defender must have specially of a big team
wiwcdeiko
0
Zidane is not a good tactician
Narayan27
0
I actually don't know what to do ?
kenyannerd
2
The main reason is the poor starting Eleven he put to play against a semifinals of Europa league Should't have underestimated the Ukrainian NO
Yupakmnsu
1
Trust me, losing from teams like Cadiz and Shaktar is worst feeling than Barcelona losing to Bayern by 2-8🥺
VinicíusJR7
3
It was proven that the R in Real Madrid stands for Ramos..Incredible how he hasnt have a new deal yet
abubakarilyasu
1
HE CAN'T BE REPLACED BACK KEEP IT UP KEEP IT UP KING
Chelsea™4™Ever
3
and 1 of those stats is varane