Champions League preview: Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk

Shakhtar Donetsk will be looking to continue their record-breaking run in the Champions League when they take on Roma in the last 16.

This season marks the first time that Donetsk have made it to the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition, just 18 months after they won the 2009 UEFA Cup.

Former Inter Milan manager Mircea Lucescu has transformed the club since taking over in 2004, and now he intends to send a message by guiding Shakhtar into the quarter-finals for the first time.

“We wanted to get to the knockout stage for the first time and, after missing out before, we finally managed it this season – and deservedly so,” Lucescu said.

The Ukrainians finished on top of Group H with five wins from their six games, including a 2-1 victory over English Premier League side Arsenal.

Last time the two sides met in 2006, Shakhtar was on the end of a 4-0 drubbing, but Lucescu is convinced his side will give a better account of themselves when they go head to head on Wednesday.

“The fans (in Rome) create a certain pressure on opponents, but also on their own team,” Lucescu said.

“Certainly, what we learned from that last game will help us this time. I am convinced about that.”

“Also the difference in class between football in eastern and western Europe is narrowing. Many talented players have come to the east.”

“The UEFA Cup wins by Galatasaray, CSKA Moskva, Zenit and Shakhtar mean these countries have greater hope for Champions League success.”

Roma qualified for the knockout stages after finishing second behind Bayern Munich in Group E.

But their form on the domestic front has been less impressive, with Claudio Ranieri’s side slipping to eighth in the Serie A after taking just two wins from their last six matches.

Ranieri has been under pressure to keep his job with rumours Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was in line to make a shock move to the club.

A run to the Champions League final, which they achieved for the first and only time in 1984, would certainly help Ranieri’s prospects, but he admitted getting past Shakhtar would be tough.

“Lucescu’s teams always play very good football,” Ranieri said. “Shakhtar are a quality team and they have some very strong players. On top of that, Lucescu knows Italian football very well. This is going to be a good tie to watch.”