Real Madrid vs. Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League 2015-16 Analysis: The 4-0 Win By the Numbers
Real Madrid initiated its Champions League debut with a whopping 4-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. It wasn't the prettiest of wins with the team essentially grinding out the game and winning thanks to some fortuitous calls and penalties. Nonetheless, a win is a win and a 4-goal margin is crucial to a team's long term success and mindset.
Here is a look at the numbers from the big game.
1 - The number of saves Keylor Navas had to make for Real Madrid. Shakhtar Donetsk had five shots at the goal, but one was on target in 90+ minutes.
2 - The number of penalty goals that Cristiano Ronaldo bagged in this game en route to his second hat trick in as many games. He has snapped his slump with eight goals and one assist and has now scored a whopping four hat tricks in his last six games for Los Blancos. Moreover, he is now three goals from tying Raul as Real Madrid's top scorer in all competitions and four from possessing the milestone on his own.
3 - The number of substitutions thanks to injuries that Madrid had to overcome. Gareth Bale was hacked down; Raphael Varane suffered a similar fate, as did Ramos who seemed to hurt his shoulders. Injuries were a concern for Madrid and these three additions, added onto the already out James Rodriguez and Danilo could be worrisome.
5 - The number of yellow cards that the Ukrainian side had in this game, including a double to Taras Stepanenko, who left his team down to 10 men. Shakhtar's strategy was clearly to be aggressive with Los Blancos, even at the risk of obtaining cards. The team completed its task and managed to injure and frustrate Madrid for most of the night. The moment the second red card came, however, it was over.
6 - The number of crosses attempted by Marcelo on the night, more than any other player. The Brazilian was dangerous on the left flank and was the catalyst behind Madrid's fourth goal as his shot was too hot to handle for the opposition keeper and bounced right onto the path of Ronaldo, who headed the ball home to complete his second hat trick in two games.
7 - The number of key passes that Isco had in the game for Real Madrid, by far the most of any other player on the pitch. With Bale out early, Isco became the de factor playmaker on the pitch, establishing himself as the creator. With Bale injured and Mateo Kovacic on the field, Isco was allowed to roam on the left and middle of the area where he is clearly more at ease.
26 - The number of shots Madrid had at goal, nine of which were on target. Shakhtar only had five shots the entire night and only one was on target.
43- The number of Champions League goals for Karim Benzema after scoring the first goal of this match. That tally and total vaulted him onto the list of the competition's top 10 scorers.
94 - The number of passes attempted by Toni Kroos on the evening, by far the most of any other player on the pitch. Kroos was the most present figure for Madrid, seamlessly interchanging with Luka Modric on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He completed 96.8 percent of those passes by the way.
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