Barcelona | VS | Shakhtar Donetsk |
| Date/Time: | Apr 6, 2011, 20:45(CET) |
| Competition: | UEFA Champions League |
| Live/Repeat: | Live |
| Venue: | Camp Nou, Barcelona (Barcelona) |
Barcelona vs Shakhtar Donetsk Match Preview
FC Barcelona will play host to Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final first leg on Wednesday.Barcelona will be heavy favorites ahead of the tie, and Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu described the Catalan giants this week as “the strongest team in football history.” Lucescu also told the official UEFA website this week that “Barcelona are favorites but we have a chance.”
Josep Guardiola graciously accepted the praise of his opponent and was quick to show mutual respect. “Shaktar will be very difficult. They’re packed with good Brazilians, a very strong team that has grown over the years, getting better and better,” Guardiola told the official UEFA website.
Barcelona’s star playmaker Lionel Messi has recovered from illness and is expected to play, while Maxwell and Pedro Rodriguez are also fit to play. Defenders Carles Puyol and Eric Adibal are sidelined with injury for Barca.
Shakhtar are sweating on the fitness of star defender Dmytro Chygrynsky, who has an ankle injury and will be assessed ahead of kickoff. Fellow defender Olexandr Kucker is also sidelined with a knee injury for Donetsk. Eduardo and Fernandinho have shaken off injuries and will be fit to play for Donetsk.
KEY PLAYERS
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – The Argentine superstar will be the driving force as Barcelona look to gain a first leg advantage ahead of the second leg in Ukraine.
Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk) – Srna performance eon the right flank has been one of the highlights of Shakhtar’s European campaign. Srna has registered one goal and three assists in the tournament so far, and he will also track back and find himself doubling up on Messi throughout the game.
