Bayern Munich vs FC Shakhtar Donetsk preview - Shakhtar eyeing Bayern upset

Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2015 by PA

Shakhtar Donetsk are plotting one of the biggest Champions League upsets in Munich on Wednesday night, aware at the same time that the odds are stacked against them succeeding.

Having ground out a 0-0 draw in the home leg three weeks ago, the Ukrainians arrive at the Allianz Arena knowing a win or even a scoring draw against Bayern would see them progress at the expense of one of the favourites for the title this season.

The example of Basel from three years ago, when the Swiss side took a 1-0 lead to Munich only to lose 7-1 on aggregate, shows how dangerous the German club can be on their own patch even after struggling to impress away.

That does not mean Shakhtar will go the same way on Wednesday, though.

"They are the strongest team in the world at the moment," said Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu to UEFA.com.

"I'm perfectly aware we are facing an extremely difficult second leg in Munich, Bayern cannot afford to leave the competition so early.

"The final will be played in Berlin, so they will do their best to be there. On our side, we will try to leave a good impression of Shakhtar through our play.

"Their team is also superior to ours, but football does not follow logical rules. In football, anything can happen."

It will be Bayern's duty to ensure that nothing unpredictable happens to them on Wednesday night as they go in search of a fourth final appearance in six years, having won only one of their previous three showpieces.

"We can feel the pressure," said Bayern defender Holger Badstuber. "The Champions League is very important.

"It's a do-or-die game against really strong opponents. The first-leg result is dangerous, but we're in front of our own fans and we're confident."

Bayern will be without the suspended Xabi Alonso, who picked up a red card in the first leg, and his place is likely to be taken by David Alaba, playing in midfield rather than at full-back.

Philipp Lahm is not a candidate to fill in there just yet, though, despite returning to training this week for the first time since fracturing his ankle last October.