In a pivotal Champions League showdown, Barcelona is on the verge of securing their spot in the knockout stage, provided they avoid defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk. With Barcelona leading Group H and Shakhtar trailing, this match promises to be a defining moment for both teams.
Match Preview
Barcelona has been in impressive form in Group H, leading the group with nine points from their first three matches. They are on the verge of securing a spot in the knockout stage with two games to spare if they can avoid defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk. Their performances in the group have been dominant, and they are eager to continue this trend.
On the other side, Shakhtar Donetsk started their Group H journey with a 3-1 home loss to Porto, which could have been a setback. However, they showed resilience by bouncing back with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Royal Antwerp. Their most recent encounter was against Barcelona, where they put up a commendable performance but ended up on the losing side with a 2-1 scoreline. Shakhtar finds themselves in third place, three points behind second-placed Porto.
Shakhtar cannot be eliminated from the competition just yet, but a defeat in this match would make their path to the knockout stage much more challenging. They enter this game on the back of a 1-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine’s top-flight league, which has boosted their confidence.
It’s worth noting that this match is taking place in Hamburg, Germany, so it’s not a true home game for Shakhtar. Historically, Shakhtar has had mixed results against Spanish teams at home, and the change in location adds an element of unpredictability to this encounter.
Barcelona, led by head coach Xavi, is determined to break the pattern of finishing third in their last two Champions League group-stage campaigns. They have a golden opportunity this season to progress to the knockout round. A positive result in this match would secure their place in the round of 16.
Currently, Barcelona is leading Group H with nine points, having achieved dominant victories in their recent matches. Their 5-0 triumph over Antwerp set the tone, followed by consecutive wins against Porto and Shakhtar. Despite a recent defeat in El Clasico against Real Madrid, they rebounded with a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga.
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Team News
Shakhtar will be without Stav Lemkin, Lassina Traore, Ivan Petryak, and possibly Irakli Azarovi due to injuries. Yaroslav Rakitskyi is expected to step in for Azarovi. Danylo Sikan, who has been in good form this season, is set to lead Shakhtar’s attack, supported by Oleksandr Zubkov.
For Barcelona, Sergi Roberto is sidelined with a calf problem, while Frenkie de Jong is doubtful due to an ankle issue. Robert Lewandowski, who is recovering from an ankle problem, is expected to lead the attack. There might be some changes in the lineup, with Andreas Christensen and Raphinha being potential additions.
Possible starting lineup for both teams
Shakhtar Donetsk possible starting lineup:
Riznyk; Konoplya, Bondar, Matvienko, Rakitskyi; Stepanenko, Bondarenko; Kryskiv, Sudakov, Zubkov; Sikan
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Araujo, Kounde, Christensen; Cancelo, Gavi, Gundogan, Balde; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
Match Prediction
Shakhtar Donetsk is more than capable of making this a challenging match for Barcelona. Their recent performance against the Catalan giants showcased their ability to compete at this level. We anticipate that Shakhtar will find the back of the net in this fixture.
However, Barcelona’s superior quality and experience in European competitions should give them the edge. We predict a 3-1 victory for Barcelona, which would solidify their position at the top of the group.
Conclusion
As the Champions League group stage reaches a crucial stage, the clash between Shakhtar Donetsk and Barcelona takes on significant importance. Barcelona’s ambition to progress meets Shakhtar’s determination to compete at a higher level. Expect a fierce battle with both teams seeking a positive outcome in this pivotal fixture.