Shakhtar Donetsk vs Braga preview - All to play for in Ukraine

Posted Wednesday, December 08, 2010 by PA

Everything is to play for in Champions League Group F, with Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga both having a chance of qualification for the last 16.

The two meet at the Donbass Arena, with Shakhtar leading the group by three points from Braga and Arsenal who are tied for second.

The Ukrainian hosts need just a point to progress, while if Arsenal lose to Partizan Belgrade, Braga will also need just a point.

The Portuguese side lost 3-1 at Uniao Leiria on Saturday, though, and had three players sent off as they gave two penalties away.

They have not won away from home this season, but, gave themselves a chance of qualification with their 2-0 win over Arsenal last time out.

Coach Domingos Paciencia is preferring to focus on the league however, knowing that the Champions League is not possible without it.

"The most important goal for Braga is the national championship and finishing in the top four," he said ahead of the game.

"We know the toll will be very different to previous years because taking part in the Champions League for the first time has a big physical and emotional cost."

Shakhtar have fitness doubts over Marcelo Moreno, Vitaliy Vitsenets and Oleksandr Chyzhov, while Fernandinho is back in Brazil having treatment.

Coach Mircea Lucescu is not letting that dampen his spirits, though.

He said: "It is going to be a hard clash. Braga will not be the one we saw at the first two games in the very start of the group stages.

"They won their last three matches, keeping clean sheets, and perhaps, that made them weaker in their championship.

"We do not have big problems with our squad now.

"Yesterday Moreno got a slight injury while training; and Vitsenets felt pain; Chyzhov was also injured three days ago. Plus Fernandinho is in Brazil now taking his treatment.

"Overall, 23 players have been preparing for the fixture.

"We did not watch the fixture against Leiria. All Braga players were thinking of Shakhtar, but not of Leiria.

"Three sending-offs prove that.

"We usually analyse our counterparts, but also pay attention to our play. And if it fits our goals we reach good results."