Real Madrid 4-0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Five talking points

Real Madrid kicked off a new season in Europe in a fair-to-middling fashion despite dispatching Ukarinian visitors Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 in a match that saw Cristiano Ronaldo bagging yet another hat-trick. Buoyed by a resounding victory over the weekend at Espanyol, Los Blancos approached the game with high spirits but failed to reflect it on their performance as the home side appeared to lack vigour and it was only a faux pas by the Shakhtar goalkeeper and the referee that meekly handed Real two of the four strikes they registered on the night.Nonetheless, it was a winning start in Europe for Rafael Benitez with the Meringues, as they go to the top of group A after matchday one. Here are the five talking points from the clash.

#1 Ronaldo\'s free-kicks are a worry for Real Madrid

It’s so intriguing that a player who once clinically dispatched free-kicks from no matter what angle, now struggles to find the net. There’s no denying that Ronaldo, in the last few months, has been struggling to score from the set-piece and threw away a handful of chances from the same situation in this game as well.

His first free-kick on the night saw him striking well off target, whereas the second missed the net narrowly. He was awarded more such opportunities in the second half, but could only blast them just over the bar or crashing into the Shakhtar wall.

Although the Real Madrid ace did manage to score a hat-trick in the end, the figures could have well soared to four or even five for him, had he been more clinical with the dead ball. He should definitely concentrate on getting his free-kick prowess back, for they would be vital in crucial games later in the season.

#2 Real Madrid fail to inspire

It was supposed to be a walk in the park for Real Madrid. While the scoreline suggests they sure did, in all honesty it wasn’t. The home side played unconvincingly for much of the time and wasted way too many opportunities.

Los Blancos stuttered to break down a stubborn defence of the Miners and could find the breakthrough only when Pyatov inadvertently squandered the ball for Benzema to tap in into an empty net. Gareth Bale hobbled off with a calf injury consequently, but Real continued to create chances, only to waste them one after another.

Not much had changed in their game even in the second half as, despite dominating possession, the 2014 champions toiled to extend their lead and did so only after Ronaldo showed great nonchalance in taking two penalties. The only real moment to savour for the home crowd was the Portuguese international netting another treble when he latched on to Marcelo’s shot that ricocheted off Pyatov’s palms.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad evening for the title contenders. But at the same time, it wasn’t an encouraging one either.

#3 Karim Benzema should havee done better

While it will be Ronaldo grabbing the Wednesday morning headlines for yet another hat-trick, his Real Madrid counterpart Karim Benzema could have been seen in the same light had he not been so profligate with his chances. The Frenchman, arguably, was at the receiving end of some of the best chances created by the hosts, more so than the Portuguese predator himself. But he lacked the cutting edge to make the most of those opportunities.

The former Lyon striker was handed the first real opportunity of the game when he was played clear through by the no.7 but struck the ball well over the post from close range. In the second half, he was the cynosure for yet another gilt-edged chance, but it was the same case of reckless shooting. Ronaldo then neatly headed the ball in his way to help him get on the scoresheet once again, but Benzema’s listless effort was thwarted by Shakhtar goalkeeper Pyatov.

The goal that he scored was a result of a cheap blunder by the Ukrainian, which otherwise would have seen the 27-year-old draw a blank on the night.

#4 Fresh injury concerns for Real Madrid

While the home side can feel good after the victory, the injury concerns that have arisen for them in the new season won’t let the jubilation last long enough. Gareth Bale was the first casualty, who succumbed to a calf injury after 30 minutes into the game. The Welshman was going great guns, but his evening was spoiled with the strain he sustained in his left calf muscle, as he took no time in limping off the field.

Next to join him was Rafael Varane, who was subbed off at half-time after being deemed unfit to play the second half. The Frenchman was seen speaking to the physios at a few intervals and after tests during the break he wasn’t able to continue.

Lastly, skipper Sergio Ramos too couldn’t escape the injury bug as he suffered a knock on his shoulder after a collision with Taras Stepanenko. He was taken off after a few minutes, to avoid aggravating the condition.

The season is still in its embryonic stage, and Madrid are already dealt with fresh injury concerns.

#5 Luck just wasn\'t on Shakhtar\'s side

Shakhtar Donetsk played really well and managed to put the hosts to the sword on quite a few occasions. But they just weren’t lucky. For all their hard work and some praise-worthy performances, the Ukrainian side walked away with no points in the bag, much to their frustration.

It all started going downhill since the time Pyatov gifted the opening goal to Real with his silly gaffe. What struck the back of captain Srna, in the next half, was misjudged for a handball by the referee, who straight away pointed to the spot for a penalty.

Later on, Stepanenka was sent off for his second bookable offence and Ronaldo struck another penalty when Marcio Azevedo handled the ball inside the box. It was night to forget for The Miners, who now fly a thousand miles back to Kiev, with a really bitter taste in the mouth.