Champions League Round of 16: Week One Preview
Aug 6, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (middle) and defenseman Philipp Lahm (left) walk onto the pitch before the 2014 MLS All Star Game at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukrainian Premier League) v. Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)
Where: Arena Lviv in Lviv, Ukraine
When: Tuesday, February 17 2:45pm Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Overview: If you read what arena and city the match is taking place in, that is not a typo. Due to shelling from the war and unrest in Ukraine, Shakhtar play their home matches in Lviv, about 600 miles away from their home town. This takes away from the great home field advantage Hirnyky (The Miners) have at Donbass Arena, but that should not prevent a capacity crowd from watching this leg against the German giants. This will be the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides.
Shakhtar Donetsk were one of very few teams that fared better on the road than they did at home during the Champions League Group Stage. Striker Luiz Adriano led all scorers in the Champions League Group Stage with nine goals in five appearances, including five goals in a route of BATE Borisov in Belarus. As a matter of fact, eight of the Brazilian’s nine goals came against the lowly side. Adriano has led Donetsk in goals 5 years in a row and will need to be on his mark against Bayern.
With Xabi Alonso doubtful and Phlipp Lahm out for Bayern, Bastian Schweinsteiger will be pulling the strings in the midfield. The ageless German has been known to orchestrate great attacks from the middle of the pitch and he has quite the cast to feed up front. He can pick his choice of weapon with Gotze, Robben, Lewandowski, and Muller all in attack and ready to strike.
Players to Watch: While it seems Luiz Adriano would be the pick for the home side, he will need the service. Since Donetsk will not have the ball much, it will be important for Douglas Costa to be quick and decisive on any counter attacks the Ukrainian side are presented with.
For Bayern, how many goals will Thomas Muller score? He will have many opportunities along with his forward mates; but it will be all about finishing to make the home leg a walk in the park. The German has tallied 3 goals in Champions League this season and 13 across all competitions.
Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 0, Bayern Munich 3. Donetsk will rarely see the ball, and when they do, they’re unlikely to break the German side’s defense. Munich beat Hamburg 8-0 this past weekend, and while Donetsk is stronger than Hamburg, they’ll have trouble slowing down the well-oiled Bayern machine.
Next: FC Schalke 04 v. Real Madrid