Montella confident of Shakhtar upset

Roma coach Vincenzo Montella is ‘very optimistic’ his side can defeat Shakhtar Donetsk and progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Roma face the likely threat of elimination from European competition when they travel to Donetsk for the second leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian champions accounted for their Italian opponents 3-2 in the opening leg at the Stadio Olimpico, and have not lost a game at home in any competition since October 2008.

Roma’s shock loss in the first leg came in the middle of a run of four straight defeats for the Serie A outfit, prompting the resignation of manager Claudio Ranieri.

Former Roma striker Montella was appointed in a caretaker capacity and has yet to taste defeat with the club in three league games, though his first European outing in charge shapes as his biggest challenge yet.

“We have come to Donetsk with the ambition and the ability to win,” Montella said.

“Right now all of us are completely focused on Shakhtar. We will start our preparations for the derby match against Lazio after the Champions League game.”

“Shakhtar are a well-organised team. We have all had a chance to assess them from their performance in Rome.”

“We have to make the game difficult for them. It is very important to not let them play the way they want to.”

“I am very optimistic about our chances to win here. Roma have great potential, but we must all pull together if we are to win.”

Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu has every reason to believe his side can maintain their unbeaten run at Donbass Arena, despite Roma’s renewed verve under Montella.

“The team are well prepared, we are ready to fight,” Lucescu said.

“Since Vincenzo Montella’s appointment Roma have changed their style. I have a feeling that the days of (former Roma coach) Luciano Spalletti are returning.”

“We are familiar with their attacking style of play because we played against Roma five years ago in the Champions League group stage.”

“It’s very important for us to win tomorrow. Our opponents naturally want revenge, but Shakhtar have enough experience to get a proper result.”

“We need to qualify and after that we will think about what comes next. It’s too early to speak about it right now.”