Shakhtar Donetsk v Sporting in Champions League

By: sasha | October 22nd, 2008

Following Dynamo Kyiv’s great triumph over Porto yesterday, Shakhtar Donetsk takes on another of Portugal’s great Football powerhouses, Sporting.

With both clubs locked in a tie at three points this match is a “must win” for Mircea Lucescu’s men. Hirnyky, who have suffered through attacking woes this season were brilliant this last weekend as they defeated Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih 4-2. The question looms on whether this is a new beginning of the great Donetsk club or a one off.

Prior to the match Mircea Lucescu commented to the press:

“This is a very important match for both sides. Both, Shakhtar and Sporting, deserve to advance further in the competition. This is why both teams shall be doing everything possible to achieve a good result. Our main challenge is that we have lost two of our main players, Ilsinho and Luis Adriano. Now we are trying to wind the way out of this difficult situation. We are trying to find a replacement for these two players. The team should not feel their absence.”

In response to how the match will be decided he added:

“I hope Shakhtar won’t make those mistakes they made in previous matches: when they were losing concentration 5-7 minutes before the final whistle.”

Sporting heads into the match disappointed in domestic competition of recent but still the club many believe will wrestle the title away from FC Porto. Montenegrin international Simon Vukčević is facing a match-time fitness test and if lost will be a significant blow tactically. At their disposal is crafty goal poacher Liédson who can and will create havoc if given the opportunity. To be successful today Brandão and Ukraine international Oleksandr Hladky must break through their back line of Grimi, Polga,Tonel and Abel.

Enjoy the match and drop back later for a recap.

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