Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has branded Shakhtar Donetsk "a great team" ahead of their meeting in the group stages of the Champions League.

Los Blancos will open their Group A campaign with a home match against the Ukrainian side on Tuesday evening.

The hosts will enter as the favourites to put three points on the board, but Benitez has warned his team of the dangers posed by the opposition.

"Shakhtar are a great team, they're going to be a difficult team to face. [They] have an experienced coach and young players with quality and speed," Benitez told reporters.

"I feel the challenge to win every game, not only to win in the Champions League."

Paris Saint-Germain and Malmo were also drawn into Group A.