Shakhtar Donetsk will look to keep themselves alive in the race for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a positive result against Barcelona.
Just two weeks after the two teams squared up against each other on Matchday three of the Champions League, Shakhtar Donetsk are all set to host Barcelona on Matchday four. The Ukrainian giants suffered a 2-1 defeat in the away fixture against the Blaugrana and will look to avenge that loss this around.
Shakhtar Donetsk have bounced back since the defeat to Barcelona. They won the Ukrainian Cup quarter-final 3-0 and followed it up with another 1-0 win in the league. The home team have been in decent form in the league. But things have not gone according to plan for them in the Champions League.
The Ukrainian club will try their best to script an upset over the Catalan giants. A positive result against Xavi Hernandez’s men will help them push for a place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League. They have only won one out of the three matches. And, this seems to be a must-win game for them.
Barcelona have been in sensational form throughout the new season. They have only suffered defeat once so far. Their only defeat came at the hands of Real Madrid in El Clasico days after their 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. Post that defeat, they have bounced back with a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad thanks to an injury-time winner by Ronald Araujo.
The Blaugrana have won each of their first three games in this season’s Champions League, and another win will seal their spot in the knockout rounds. They have not had much trouble in the competition and are expected to once again get the job done against Shakhtar. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could use.
Team News & Tactics
Shakhtar Donetsk
The home team will be without the services of Stav Lemkin, Lassina Traore and Ivan Petryak. Meanwhile, Irakli Azarovi’s availability is doubtful.
🇺🇦 Львів 🚌🇵🇱 Жешув ✈️ Любек 🚌 Гамбург 🇩🇪
🧡 Шлях «Шахтаря» до Німеччини на матч із «Барселоною» в Лізі чемпіонів ⭐️#Shakhtar #UCL #ШахтарБарселона pic.twitter.com/3ohoQrCPME
— ⚒FC SHAKHTAR DONETSK (@FCShakhtar) November 6, 2023
Darijo Srna’s team could go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation for this fixture, where Dmytro Riznyk will be in goal. Yukhym Konoplya and Yaroslav Rakitskyi will feature out wide in defence.
The full-backs will have a tough day at work as they will look to stop Barcelona’s star-studded wingers. In the heart of the defence, Valeriy Bondar will pair up with Mykola Matviyenko. The duo will look to keep Robert Lewandowski in check.
Taras Stepanenko and Artem Bondarenko will form the double pivot in the centre of the park. The duo will look to support the backline and they will also try their best to not allow Barcelona midfielders to dictate the pace of this game.
Dmytro Kryskiv and Oleksandr Zubkov will start on the flanks. They will look to provide width to their attacks. They will have Heorhiy Sudakov in support as he will feature behind the striker as the attacking midfielder. Danylo Sikan will be leading the line for the home team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Riznyk; Konoplya, Bondar, Matvienko, Rakitskyi; Stepanenko, Bondarenko; Kryskiv, Sudakov, Zubkov; Sikan
Barcelona
The visitors will be without the services of Sergi Roberto. Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong’s availability is also doubtful. Apart from the duo, everyone else is expected to be available for selection.
✈️ BCN – HAM pic.twitter.com/fkVujqHBuB
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 6, 2023
Xavi went in with a 3-4-3 formation in their last outing and he is expected to stick to it for this fixture as well. Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be in goal. The back three will consist of Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen.
Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde, who normally feature as full-backs, will take on the role of wing-backs. Gavi and former Manchester City skipper Ilkay Gundogan will be the two central midfielders. The duo will look to control the tempo of this game.
As for the offensive unit, Raphinha and Joao Felix will feature out wide on the flanks. They will look to take on the opposition full-backs and create chances for the dangerous Robert Lewandowski who will be leading the line. The 35-year-old is not in the best of form and they seem to be dependent on him. As a result, him getting on the scoresheet is a must for the overall morale of the team.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): ter Stegen; Araujo, Kounde, Christensen; Cancelo, Gavi, Gundogan, Balde; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
Key Stats
- In the seven meetings between the two teams in the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona have won five while Shakhtar Donetsk have won twice.
- The Catalan giants have scored 15 goals in those seven outings while the home team only have five goals to their name.
- Barcelona won the reverse fixture 2-1 on matchday three.
- Xavi’s team have won the last three outings against Shakhtar Donetsk and will look to make it four in a row.
Player to Watch
Raphinha
Raphinha has been doing a decent job since joining Barcelona in the summer of 2022 from Leeds United. The 26-year-old might not have lit up the world, but he surely has the trust of his manager Xavi.
In the ongoing season, the Brazil international has five goal contributions in his nine outings. It has been a great start to the new season for Raphinha besides the injury struggle. And, he will look to build on it when he takes the ground against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Prediction
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-3 Barcelona
Shakhtar Donetsk might not be as strong as Barcelona. But they do have some quality players in their ranks. And, the home side did make life difficult for Xavi Hernandez’s men in that away fixture two weeks back.
This time around, they will be playing at home and the Ukrainian team will surely give the Catalan giants a tough fight for all three points. However, given the quality of the players that Barcelona have at their disposal, they might still come out on top. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-2 win for the visitors.
