Shakhtar Team Depleted By Coronavirus Stuns Real Madrid 3-2

Zinedine Zidane called for cool heads after Real Madrid lost 3-2 in their Champions League opener at home to a depleted Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, their second consecutive defeat ahead of the Clasico against Barcelona on Saturday. Ukrainian champions Shakhtar were without 10 first-team players and nine members of staff due to coronavirus infections but recorded a remarkable win at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium, after scoring three times in 13 first-half minutes.

"We lacked a bit of everything, but above all our confidence, which is the most important thing," said Zidane.

"What is important for us now is to stay calm. It's a bad night and we have to make things better."

Strikes from Tete and Manor Solomon, either side of a Raphael Varane own-goal, gave Shakhtar a shock lead at the interval and while Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior pulled goals back, Madrid fell short.