Team News: Two changes for Real Madrid against Shakhtar Donetsk

Rafael Benitez has made two changes to his Real Madrid side for the first Champions League group match against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Raphael Varane comes in at central defence while Toni Kroos has been given the nod to start in midfield, with Pepe and Casemiro dropping to the bench, while Dani Carvajal again deputises for the injured Danilo at right-back.

James Rodriguez has missed out on a place in the squad after failing to shake off a thigh injury, but Sergio Ramos is fit to start in the centre of defence despite being absent for training after the 6-0 away win at Espanyol on Saturday.

For the visitors, Darijo Srna will return at right-back in the only change from the side which beat Metalist Kharkiv 5-0 on Friday in the Ukrainian Premier League, as Oleksandr Hladkyy is again preferred to former Arsenal man Eduardo up front.

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Isco, Kroos; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema Subs: Casilla, Pepe, Nacho, Casemiro, Kovacic, Jese, Cheryshev

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Azevedo; Fred, Stepanenko, Marlos; Teixeira, Taison; Hladkyy Subs: Kanibolotski, Ordets, Dentinho, Bernard, Malyshev, Kovalenko, Eduardo

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