FC Shakhtar Donetsk v Celtic
UEFA Champions League Group F, Matchday Three
Wednesday 20th November 2004
Central Stadium Shaktar, Ukraine
Kick Off 7.45pm, Live On Sky Sports Xtra Interactive
The Ukraine is the next port of call for The Bhoys, as we seek our first ever away points in the UEFA Champions League. FC Shakhtar Donetsk are the opponents, in our third match of this season’s tournament.
When the draw was made for Group F of the Champions League, I am sure I was not the only one who didn’t know much about Shakhtar, but from what I now know, they are no mugs. They are the Champions of The Ukraine, and currently top their league table, five points ahead of Dinamo Kyiv. Domestically, their form has been impressive; their season began in July and their last match was also a 3-0 victory.
In the Champions League, Shakhtar are currently tied with Celtic on 0 points. I managed to catch some highlights of their opening game, at home to AC Milan, where they went down 1-0 to a late Clarence Seedorf goal. Shakhtar spent most of the game with ten men, and should at least have taken a point from the Italians. Their second match was a 0-3 defeat in the Nou Camp.
Their current stadium holds 14,000 but they are in the process of building a new state of the art ground, which will be ready in the next three years. They have also splashed cash in the transfer market this year, notably £15 Million on a midfielder. According to Shakhtar’s coach, Mircea Lecescu, they also possess a teenage striker who is “much better than Wayne Rooney,” in Ciprian Marica.
From what I have seen of this team, they look a well organised side. I don’t remember seeing any standout players but they looked more of a threat than we seen from AC Milan a fortnight ago. I seem to remember them beating Arsenal at home a couple of years ago, and we will find it difficult over there.
A few hundred Bhoys have made the trip to the Ukraine, and hats off to them. The team arrived yesterday and trained last night, after there was allegedly a problem with Stan Varga’s Visa at Glasgow Airport. Varga travelled, as did the recovering Bobo Balde.
I believe whether Balde plays or not will be touch and go. The fact that Chris Sutton played in defence at the weekend suggests he will play there tomorrow but I’d like to see Balde fit and Sutton available to play up-front. John Hartson and Henri Camara have formed what looks a decent partnership in the SPL, tomorrow night they will have to prove they have what it takes to make it in the Champions League.
Another Bhoy who we need a performance from is Juninho. He has not been too impressive since joining in August, but has shown signs of hope, including a Man of the Match winning performance at the weekend. He done nothing against Barcelona at home and showed one or two moments in the San Siro, where he emerged as a late substitute. Ross Wallace set up John Hartson’s goal at the weekend, and is likely to keep his place on the left hand side.
Celtic need to go for it tomorrow night. Too many times we have seen ourselves lose European games due to our lack of belief. Sitting back and defending does not work for this side. We done it in Milan at the beginning of the game and we lost a goal. We tried again when equalised and we lost another couple. We have shown in the past that we are at our best when we attack – let’s do it tomorrow. Our concentration must be spot on for the entire game. One lapse will be punished at this level, as we have seen before.
I am not one for believing we cannot perform away in Europe. Okay, so we haven’t picked up any points on our travels on Champions League duty, but we have only been there on two occasions. Sandwiched between these two seasons were wins in Blackburn, Liverpool, Vigo and Boavista. We just need luck to be on our side for once.
Progression from this group is not impossible. If we are to go through in the Champions League. we probably need a victory in Donetsk. A tall order, I know, but it is possible. Something has got to give in the double-header coming up between Milan and Barcelona and we can pick up six points in our last two home games. Never say die.
As always, I am confident we can do it and I will never go into a game saying we might lose. I think a draw will be a good result as it will set us up for more Champions League away points.
Come On The Hoops!
Prediction: Shaktar Donetsk 1-1 Celtic