Quite apt that this game is being played in Real Madrid's training ground because this certainly has more of the feel of a training game rather than a Champions League tie.

As good as Shakhtar's start has been you do feel there is another level to Real Madrid.

What is impressive is Shakhtar get back quickly from their counters to defend in numbers when out of possession. It is leaving Real Madrid frustrated with few openings to work with, although I'm not sure how long the visitors could keep it up.

Midway through the half and Shakhtar are still going toe-to-toe with Real Madrid. They look confident in possession and a threat on the counter.

Lokomotiv Moscow are ahead in Salzburg with Eder heading home Rifat Zhemaletdinov's flick on.

Not much for the 3,000 or so fans in attendance to cheer about yet.

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Marco Asensio's neat backheel allows Ferland Mendy to get in behind but his low cross into the middle of the box is cut out.

Free header for Valeriy Bondar from a Shakhtar corner. He gets up well but pushes Casemiro in the back and the whistle goes for a foul.

Just over a quarter of an hour gone and Shakhtar have had more possession than Real Madrid and the best chance of the game so far.

Don't think many expected that before kick off given their squad selection issues.

Oh what a chance! Big moment for Shakhtar as they again counter quickly and this time Marlos is in but he can't beat Thibaut Courtois.

Good save by the Real Madrid goalkeeper but that was slack defending by the hosts.

This is a good break by the visitors, numbers piling forward as Marlos leads the charge. He slips the ball to Tete on his right but the forward delays his shot and when he does shoot it is blocked.

That was a bold attack, though,. Shakhtar showing no fear in these early stages.

A lovely ball is sprayed out wide to Rodrygo but the Real Madrid forward just mistimed his run and is flagged offside.

Ferland Mendy is playing on the right this evening and he is hacked down as he tries to break forward by Viktor Korniienko and the Shakhtar full-back is booked. Real Madrid have a free kick but it comes to nothing.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport reporter

Virgil van Dijk's injury means there will be a reshuffle to the Liverpool backline. Jurgen Klopp is also without Joel Matip so midfielder Fabinho, who played at centre-back in the 2-0 league win against Chelsea last month, should drop in alongside Joe Gomez.

That means the likes of James Milner or Curtis Jones are likely to start, especially given new signing Thiago Alcantara was also injured in the 2-2 draw with Everton on Saturday.

Milner hasn't started a game for Liverpool since July, while 19-year-old Jones has only been named in the squad twice in the Champions League and is yet to feature in the competition.

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It has been far from an ideal start to the season for Liverpool after losing key defender Virgil van Dijk to injury.

Van Dijk suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Merseyside derby after a challenge by Everton's Jordan Pickford and is exptected to be out for some time.

To add to Liverpool's defensive woes Joel Matip is also out injured tonight.

No surprises to see Real Madrid absolutely dominating the early possession. Marco Asensio turns on the right flank and runs towards the area before bending an effort that is blocked.

Asensio pops up on the other side shortly after but this time his low drive is stopped by Anatolii Trubin in the Shakhtar goal.

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No fans inside the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium tonight but some have been let in at Salzburg, who have just kicked off their Champions League opener against Lokomotiv Moscow.

The visitors get tonight's Champions League action under way.

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This game is being played at the 6,000-capacity Alfredo Di Stafano Stadium at Madrid’s training centre, with renovation work at the Bernabeu ongoing.

Definitely feels a strange setting for a Champions League tie.

Several players are 23 or under in this Shakhtar side, the goalkeeper - Anatolii Trubin - is 19 and making his Champions League debut.

What's more underdog than an underdog?

Luka Jovic and Rodrygo both start for Real Madrid with Karim Benzema on the bench.

Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard both miss out through injury. Militao comes in for Ramos in defence.

Shakhtar's side is weakened as a result of the coronavirus cases that have hampered them.

Of the first XI only Dodo, Marcos Antonio and Marlos are what you would consider first-team reagulars.

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First up tonight, Real Madrid start their quest for a 14th Champions League title as they face a Shakhtar Donetsk side that has been severely crippled by coronavirus cases.

Several players are not fit for this evening's game after being in isolation following positive test results.

That gives Real Madrid a big opportunity to bounce back from their surprise defeat to Cadiz last-time out and build some momentum ahead of El Clasico this weekend.