Home Football Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk: UCL Match Preview

Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk: UCL Match Preview

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Di Francesco says his team is ready and he’s not concerned by deficit.

Roma head coach Eusebio Di Francesco says he is unconcerned by having to overturn the club’s 2-1 first-leg deficit against Shakhtar at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday.

Cengiz Under’s first-half strike in Ukraine was cancelled out by Facunda Ferreyra’s goal before a fantastic free-kick from Fred settled the first leg three weeks ago, leaving Shakhtar eyeing a first quarter-final spot since 2011. But Roma holds the home advantage to overturn the tie on it’s head.

Roma coach said: “This is not a match that we can manage, we must win, so the key to this match is being light-hearted and having an extreme determination to hurt our opponents.

Roma’s Gregoire Defrel may be fit to return after missing the last month with injury, but may not be risked despite an injury-hit first campaign in the Italian capital. Rick Karsdorp is still missing with a long-term injury and will not return until next month at the earliest.

Shakhtar defender Sergiy Kryvtsov, who was forced off with injury in the first leg, has not recovered in time for the game.

Opta stats

  • Shakhtar Donetsk have won four of their five competitive games against Roma (L1), all in the Champions League.
  • Roma have been eliminated from all four Champions League knockout ties in which they’ve lost the first leg (home or away).

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