Rested or rusty?
Shakhtar are 13 points clear at the top of the Ukranian league but that blasted winter break (*shakes fist at bitterly cold Ukranian weather*) means that it’s over two months since they played a competitive game. That was their final group stage match against Juventus, a game they lost 1-0 though they had already qualified for the knockout rounds.
Mircea Lucescu’s side should be well rested at this stage but they won’t be too rusty. They’ve played 12 friendlies in the meantime, winning 10, including a trip to Spain where they won the 12-team Copa del Sol last month (no, we’ve never heard of it either).
Who’s this Taison fella?
Not only did Shakhtar force Chelsea into the ignominy of the Europa League and “Thursday nights, Channel Five” taunts, they also stole striker Taison from underneath Roman Abramovich’s nose. The Brazilian looked to be heading to the Bridge until Shakhtar pounced and now he’s is in line to make his first competitive start tonight.
There’s plenty of competition in the Ukranians’ attack though. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has scored 18 goals in 17 league games so far this season, and you’ll probably remember Luiz Adriano — who forgets a man who does things like this?
YouTube Credit: GoaHD4U
Lewa hoping for happier Wednesday
Last Wednesday night, Robert Lewandowski was under the watchful eye of Ireland’s Ciaran Clark and struggling to make his presence felt in the Aviva Stadium. Tonight he’ll be hoping to add to the four goals he has already scored in the competition.
If Lewa needs any additional motivation, his performance in Saturday’s shock 4-1 defeat at home to Hamburg should do the trick. He opened the scoring in the 17th minute but was shown a straight red card less than 15 minutes later for this “tackle” on Per Ciljan Skjelbred.
YouTube Credit: nwessport
On the rebound?
Saturday’s defeat was only Dortmund’s second in all competitions since mid-October and manager Jurgan Klopp pulled no punches afterwards, admitting that his side deserved no better.
They will be out to make amends tonight and they certainly have the European pedigree to back that up. They are one of only four unbeaten teams still in the competition — Bundesliga buddies Schalke 04, Malaga and Juventus are the others — and they surprised most by topping the “Group of Death” ahead of Real Madrid, Ajax and Manchester City.
Missing men
Dortmund travel without winger Kevin Grosskreutz, who was hospitalised at the weekend with pneumonia, while Ilkay Gundogan looks certain to miss out with a thigh injury. Defender Marcel Schmelzer (ankle) is also a doubt.
Shakhtar have a full complement to choose from — except for Willian. He was playing well so they sold him for big money to Anzhi Makhachkala. Sound.
