Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will be in desperate need of getting back to winning ways when his side travels to Ukraine to take on Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.
The Spanish giants have not only lost their last two games in all competitions, but were also unexpected beaten by Sheriff in the last matchday and have just three points to their name in their Champions League group.
As if to make matters worse, the senior Italian manager will have to ensure his side wins this European tie without a number of key players.
In defence the Madrid manager will be grateful to have Thibaut Courtois back in goals after the international break, with a centre back pairing of David Alaba and Eder Militao. However, with an injury to Daniel Carvajal, Ancelotti will likely turn to Lucas Vazquez at right-back and Nacho at left-back.
Madrid will have their three go-to midfielders in the form of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro in the middle of the pitch, but Ancelotti may fear for their fitness without the likes of Marco Asensio, Isco or Dani Ceballos on the bench through injury.
Similarly, Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard continue to be troubled by niggling injuries, which means a front three of Rodrygo, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior will likely be tasked with getting the better of Shakhtar.
How Madrid could line up against Shakhtar
