UCL (GROUP F, 1ST LEG)! Manchester City VS Shakhtar Donetsk - TUESDAY (26/09/2017)

Date: 25-09-2017 6:34 am (6 years ago) | Author: Mister Jay Wonder
[1] 2
- at 25-09-2017 06:34 AM (6 years ago)
(m)

Manchester City VS Shakhtar Donetsk
Tuesday (26/09/2017)
19:45 (WAT)
Pep Guardiola’s men are flying in the Premier League at the moment.

They have scored a whopping 16 goals and conceded none in their last three outings.

A 5-0 hammering of Liverpool and a 6-0 win away at Watford were followed up yesterday with a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Etihad.

A Raheem Sterling brace, along with strikes from Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph meant City pushed further away from rivals Manchester United on goal difference at the top of the table.

Now they turn their attention to the Champions League with the visit of Shakhtar on Tuesday.

The next team to be pushed into the path of the City steamroller aren’t quite what we’re used to. Touching down in Manchester from war-torn Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk don’t look like they’re here to make friends. Google their centre-back Yaroslav Rakitskiy if you’re aren’t sure what I mean by that.

They’re a tough team, full of bulk and Slavic seriousness – so to expect another effortless demolition on City’s part would be slightly naïve. However, despite the fact they beat Napoli in the first group-stage fixture, it remains to be seen if Shakhtar’s tactical organisation is intense enough to match Pep Guardiola’s.

It’s an intriguing fixture – one that I hope to shed some light on for all the blues who don’t really know what to expect on Tuesday. They’ve had an eventful few years to say the least.


The Squad
Shakhtar are unique in that they have, and have had for a long time, a cohort of Brazilian boys playing alongside their home-grown, Ukrainian spine. Think of Fernandinho, who we signed from the club four years ago, or even Elano, who arrived in Manchester from Donetsk ten years ago. Willian has become one of the Premier League’s elite players since joining Chelsea, whereas Douglas Costa, now plying his trade for Juventus, was one of Europe’s most sought-after wingers.

Of the 18 players in their squad to face Napoli, eight were Brazilian. The goal-scorers in that 2-1 win were both South American, one Brazilian and one Argentinian. It’s an interesting technique that Shakhtar operate with – quite literally, a tough Ukrainian defence with an expressive, Latin American attack.

This defence consists of a few ever-presents, such as goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov, who’s been there for 10 years and represented the club over 200 times, and the aforementioned Rakitskiy who is nearing the double century of appearances. However, the back-four will be without perhaps its greatest ever player, Darijo Srna on Tuesday. The Croatian right-back, renowned for his set-piece abilities, is fighting a shocking doping allegation. His presence, not just as a talented player, but also as a captain and club legend with over 300 appearances to his name, will be sorely missed.

Moving into the midfield, and there is still a tinge of Ukrainian efficiency in the shape of Taras Stepanenko, who likes to sit in front of his defence and break up the play. Either side of him, we’re likely to see two Brazilian boys – Bernard, a pacey, tricky and very attack-minded player who stands at just 5 foot 5, and Fred, a very well-rounded central-midfielder.

Up top is where the real South-American magic lies, with the electric Taison always looking to get in behind and the technically brilliant Marlos, an incredibly skilful player who likes to cut inside onto his left foot. Between these two wingers is likely to be Facundo Ferreyra, a player who joined Newcastle on loan, but didn’t play a single minute, after admitting he struggled to deal with the physicality here in England. Nonetheless, he’s been scoring steadily for Shakhtar and got one against Napoli last time out, so don’t be tempted to look past him.

Shakhtar are currently first in the Ukrainian Premier League, two points ahead of their eternal rivals Dynamo Kyiv, who have played one game less. Shakhtar have been dominant in the competition and their only defeat came to Dynamo – a match that Shakhtar felt aggrieved to lose.

As for the second part of the question, Shakhtar are now playing their home games in Kharkiv, which is located in the East of the country, 180 miles away from Donetsk. The ongoing conflict between Ukrainian and Russian forces means that Donetsk is sadly a frontline town these days. It is therefore not possible to play football at the Donbass Arena for now, so it seems they will remain in exile for the foreseeable future. That said, the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv has been a more suitable home for the Miners – especially after local club Metalist went bankrupt.


Posted: at 25-09-2017 06:34 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero
- Oworen25 at 25-09-2017 07:01 PM (6 years ago)
(m)
I dont need to miss this match
Posted: at 25-09-2017 07:01 PM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- tegonwa at 26-09-2017 12:04 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
Manchester City Will Win.Nawaa O!
Posted: at 26-09-2017 12:04 AM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- Novic at 26-09-2017 12:36 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
This is serious ooooo..... make I just dey waka pass..... abeg I dey waka pass, I will come and comment later.
This one weak me ooooo, well life must goes on.
I dey waka come bare
Posted: at 26-09-2017 12:36 AM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Novic at 26-09-2017 12:36 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
This is serious ooooo..... make I just dey waka pass..... abeg I dey waka pass, I will come and comment later.
This one weak me ooooo, well life must goes on.
I dey waka come bare
Posted: at 26-09-2017 12:36 AM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Oworen25 at 26-09-2017 05:32 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
I'll take this as your own point of view.
Posted: at 26-09-2017 05:32 AM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Oworen25 at 26-09-2017 05:33 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
I'll take this as your own point of view.
Posted: at 26-09-2017 05:33 AM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- BournIdentity at 26-09-2017 05:43 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
Roll Eyes                                                                           
Posted: at 26-09-2017 05:43 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
- Oworen25 at 26-09-2017 06:14 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
I'll take this as your own point of view.
Posted: at 26-09-2017 06:14 AM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Oworen25 at 26-09-2017 06:17 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
I'll take this as your own point of view.
Posted: at 26-09-2017 06:17 AM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Oworen25 at 26-09-2017 06:20 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
I'll take this as your own point of view.
Posted: at 26-09-2017 06:20 AM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Oworen25 at 26-09-2017 06:48 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
This one is none of my business at all
Posted: at 26-09-2017 06:48 AM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- BournIdentity at 26-09-2017 09:50 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
Roll Eyes                                                                           
Posted: at 26-09-2017 09:50 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
- Oworen25 at 26-09-2017 09:23 PM (6 years ago)
(m)
This is the reason why i want us to pray for change.
Posted: at 26-09-2017 09:23 PM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Oworen25 at 26-09-2017 09:24 PM (6 years ago)
(m)
This is the reason why i want us to pray for change.
Posted: at 26-09-2017 09:24 PM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Oworen25 at 26-09-2017 09:27 PM (6 years ago)
(m)
This is the reason why i want us to pray for change.
Posted: at 26-09-2017 09:27 PM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Novic at 27-09-2017 10:25 PM (6 years ago)
(m)
This is serious ooooo.... make person just dey observed, abeg I just dey waka pass
make I just dey waka pass
I will later comments jare
life must goes on
Posted: at 27-09-2017 10:25 PM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- Novic at 27-09-2017 10:25 PM (6 years ago)
(m)
This is serious ooooo.... make person just dey observed, abeg I just dey waka pass
make I just dey waka pass
I will later comments jare
life must goes on
Posted: at 27-09-2017 10:25 PM (6 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- yawa_don_gas at 28-09-2017 04:41 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
Why every I take naso I go dey see yawa? Please please why?
Posted: at 28-09-2017 04:41 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
- BournIdentity at 29-09-2017 04:47 AM (6 years ago)
(m)
Roll Eyes Roll Eyes Roll Eyes                                                                     
Posted: at 29-09-2017 04:47 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
[1] 2

fire TRENDING GISTS fire

TODAY'S TOP
  1. DHQ Finally Releases Photos And Names Of Soldiers Killed In Delta Attack

  2. Teenage Boy Nabbed For Raping 11-Year-Old Schoolmate In Rivers

  3. She Paid For My 1st Song, Believed in me When Others Mocked me- Kizz Daniel Opens Up About Wife

  4. VIDEO: Nigerian Man Drags Wife to Court Over Genotype of Their Son Who is SS

  5. The House Of Rep Member Is In Opposition Party - Soludo States Why He Didn't Construct Road

  6. Nigerian Man Breaks Down in Tears After Using His Mother’s N8m to Play Sporty Bet, Loses All

  7. VIDEO: Peter Obi Spotted At Central Mosque To Break Fast For Ramadan

  8. "I’ve Forgiven Davido For ‘Disrespecting’ Me" - Samklef

  9. 'This Entertainment Industry Is So Dark Cos People In It Are So Envious, Evil' - Actress Uche

  10. BBNaija's Angel Slams Trolls Following Speculation Of A Breakup With Soma


THIS WEEK
  1. Nollywood Actor, Amaechi Muonagor Seeks Help From His Sick Bed

  2. Royal Joy As Ooni Of Ife Welcomes Twins With His Third Wife, Olori Tobi Philips-Ogunwusi

  3. President Tinubu Appoints First Female Director-General Of NEMA, Zubaida Umar

  4. Motorist Calls Out Actor Somadina Adinma For Being A Celebrity And Trekking In Public

  5. Following Recent Divorce Saga, Nigerians Dig Up Abusive Past Of Modupe Alakija

  6. Customs Intercepts Ammunition Worth Over Half A Billion Naira Concealed In Sacks Of Garri

  7. See Full Lists Of Venues Of Lagos 25% Discounted Food Markets ‘Ounje Eko’

  8. Can of Worms! Obasanjo’s Biological Father An Igbo Man From Onitsha – Rtd Col Majekodunmi

  9. Drink Your Tears, Cry Blood, I’m Married” – Queen Throws Shades As She Flaunts Her Ring (VID)

  10. "How Tinubu And His Colleagues Failed Nigeria In 1999" - Pa Ayo Adebanjo


TOP MEMBERS: