Are we at the dawn of a new epic European campaign on the side of Real?

After the incredible scenarios of last season, the Merengues once again fought until the end of additional time to validate their ticket for the 8th.

Thirty-five seconds after returning from the locker room (46th), Bogdan Mykhaylichenko's center from the left found Oleksandr Zubkov's head at the far post, left behind by Ferland Mendy.

Already a scorer at the Santiago-Bernabéu in the first leg (2-1) last week with a superb acrobatic scissor (and already on a service from Mykhaylichenko), Zubkov thus offered himself a second prestigious goal against the "Maison white".

But at the end of the night, on a long cross from his compatriot Toni Kroos, Antonio Rüdiger, perfect throughout the game in his defensive duties, emerged to place a header that saved Real their first defeat of the season.

Real defender Antonio Rüdiger violently hit in a clash with Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper, October 11, 2022 in Warsaw JANEK SKARZYNSKI AFP

But the shock with the opposing goalkeeper led to a brief interruption: the German, who arrived in Madrid this summer, had to go out to wipe the blood that ran down his face, and the Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin finished the match with his head bandaged .

Hazard, the disappointment

Shakhtar Donetsk, forced to relocate to Warsaw this match supposed to be at home in Warsaw because of the war in Ukraine, will long remember this opposition, and this victory which stretched out their arms, for the first time since their double success against Madrid in 2020 (3-2 2-0).

Despite everything, it is with some doubts that the teammates of Karim Benzema, again holder after having blown this weekend, approach Sunday's clasico against FC Barcelona.

Toni Kroos (N.8) tries to stop Shakhtar striker Mykhailo Mudryk under the gaze of Eden Hazard in Warsaw, October 11, 2022 JANEK SKARZYNSKI AFP

Carlo Ancelotti will have to make adjustments.

The Italian technician, who had launched Eden Hazard in his starting lineup to try to restore the Belgian striker's confidence, took him out in the 57th to bring Vinicius in.

At the same time, Aurélien Tchouaméni gave way to Luka Modric.

"Carletto" then attempted a triple change ten minutes later (Marco Asensio, Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba in place of Rodrygo, Fede Valverde and Ferland Mendy)... but the effects were slow to be felt.

Because the humiliation could have been worse for the people of Madrid: in the 65th, Lassina Traoré lost a duel against Andriy Lunin, but then tried his luck after erasing him but his attempt hit the top of the crossbar before to go out, giving the Merengues cold sweats.

Oleksandr Zubkov has just opened the scoring for Shakhtar Donetsk against Real Madrid in Warsaw, October 11, 2022 JANEK SKARZYNSKI AFP

As is customary since last year, Real saved the furniture.

But he will still have to fight in Leipzig to secure first place in the group.

And a draw against Shakhtar cannot satisfy the supporters of the "White House", who are already bubbling with the approach of the clasico at the top, Sunday at the Santiago-Bernabéu.

© 2022 AFP