Shakhtar Donetsk have parlayed their success in last season’s Europa League into a fantastic start to the Champions League campaign.
The Ukrainians have taken four points from six possible with a win at Real Madrid and draw at home to Inter Milan. Manager Luis Castro now takes his team up against Borussia Monchengladbach on matchday 3 with the top of the table at stake.
🔥 Следующий матч – битва Лиги чемпионов с «Боруссией» М в Киеве! 💥⚽ #ШахтерБоруссия📅 3 ноября ⏰ 19:55 🏆 @ChampionsLeague📍 НСК «Олимпийский»#UCL pic.twitter.com/7DUKvDwf1J— ⚒FC SHAKHTAR DONETSK (@FCShakhtar) November 1, 2020
🔥 Следующий матч – битва Лиги чемпионов с «Боруссией» М в Киеве! 💥⚽ #ШахтерБоруссия📅 3 ноября ⏰ 19:55 🏆 @ChampionsLeague📍 НСК «Олимпийский»#UCL pic.twitter.com/7DUKvDwf1J
Marco Rose’s team are kicking themselves after twice capitulating in the Champions League in two games. On both matchdays 1 and 2, the Foals led against Inter Milan and Real Madrid but conceded second-half goals.
Borussia Monchengladbach drew both games, but have shown themselves to be a formidable opponent on both matchdays. The German’s claimed a brilliant 1-0 win against Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig. Rose’s team are full of confidence and will fancy their chances of a win in Ukraine.
Gladbach attacking midfielder, Hannes Wolf, is in fine form heading into the game. The 21-year-old Austrian previously played as a teenager under Rose at Red Bull Salzburg. Now on loan from RB Leipzig, Wolf is back from injury and playing well.
Rose is likely to have centre-back Nico Elvedi back in the team. He went off at the weekend with a “tight muscle”, but should return to feature next to Matthias Ginter.
Castro is without a key forward for the game as Yevhen Konoplyanka is out indefinitely with a torn muscle. Otherwise, Casto should have a fit squad to face off with Borussia Monchengladbach at home.
Gladbach have lost just once this season in all competitions. That defeat was suffered at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in the league. Since that loss, the Foals have gone on a seven-game unbeaten run.
They have scored 21 times in all competitions while conceding 12 goals in nine games. On two occasions they have kept clean sheets, so don’t expect Rose’s team to stop Shakhtar Donetsk from scoring goals. Six of their nine games saw over 2.5 goals scored.
Shakhtar Donetsk are unbeaten this season in all competitions. Borussia Monchengladbach will certainly have their work cut out for them. The Miners have scored 23 times and allowed 11 goals in 10 games in all competitions. They too have only kept two clean sheets.
Both teams head into the game in good form. However, it is Borussia Monchengladbach’s play in recent weeks that has really caught the eye. The Foals should finally hold on for a win at Shakhtar Donetsk’s expense.
Matchday 3 should see both teams score goals and over 2.5 goals tallied. Borussia Monchengladbach should hold on to win this time and move to the top of Group B.