Group D
Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu was ruing missed opportunities in previous games as he prepared to face Roma.
The Ukrainian team have twice drawn 2-2 against Olympiakos and Valencia, costing them four valuable points which leaves them bottom of the group level on points with the Greek champions.
“We had lots of opportunities to pick up points,” said Lucescu. “We created enough chances against Olympiacos and Valencia, but we did not take them and now we’re outsiders.”
The visit of Roma gives the Ukrainian outfit a chance for revenge for their 4-0 opening day loss to the Italian side.
“We looked good but lost. The difference is in experience and we don’t have enough of that compared to Roma. Roma can commit mistakes but they will also be merciless in taking advantage of every mistake we make.”
Shakhtar will be without the suspended Tomáš Hübschman, while an ear infection could rule Mariusz Lewandowski out, and midfielder Matuzalem is out for six weeks with a thigh problem.
Meanwhile, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, is taking nothing for granted.
“Our first aim is to progress from the group – we want to show our best in the Champions League to get the experience we need,” he said. “It will be a difficult match as Lucescu can count on several good players and Shakhtar are a very good side. They can put us in trouble as they did for an hour at the Stadio Olimpico.”
Spalletti is expected to replace left-back Max Tonetto with usual right-back Christian Panucci and use Marco Cassetti on the opposite flank while Philippe Mexes should return in central defence.
“I want my players to forget the Catania win as soon as possible,” he added, “because we are facing a tough match in Donetsk and we will have to prove everything from scratch again.”
Probable teams
Shakhtar:
Bohdan Shust; Darijo Srna, Dmytro Chygrynskiy, Leonardo, Razvan Rat; Fernandinho, Anatoliy Tymoschuk, Igor Duljaj, Elano Blumer; Brandão, Julius Aghahowa.
Roma:
Doni; Marco Cassetti, Cristian Chivu, Philippe Mexes, Christian Panucci; Daniele De Rossi, David Pizarro; Taddei, Simone Perrotta, Mancini; Francesco Totti.
