Preview

December 11, Kharkiv, OSK Metalist, 19:55
Live broadcast on Futbol 2 TV channel
  
Before the match
 
On Wednesday, all the Round-of-16 participants will be known. In Group C, Manchester City secured a place in the knockout phase early, with 3 other clubs still retaining a chance of winning the second knockout-stage berth. Both Shakhtar (6 points) and Atalanta (4) need a victory. The draw will be a positive result for the Miners only if Dinamo Zagreb (5) do not defeat City, with the latter outcome not suiting the Italians at all.
  
The Orange-and-Blacks have had 3 UCL draws in a row. Against Dinamo Zagreb, Luis Castro’s men were in front twice, later conceding goals or levelling it in the dying stages; in the 5th round game vs Manchester City, they responded with Solomon's goal 13 minutes after Gundogan’s goal. Both fruitful attacks that were finished off by Manor in Milan and Manchester, in fact, brought Shakhtar 4 points out of 6.
  
On the morning of December 10, the Miners will hold an open training session in Sviatoshyno; at 18:30, the manager Luis Castro and midfielder Alan Patrick will take part in the traditional pre-match press conference at the OSK Metalist. Tickets for the decider between Shakhtar and Atalanta can be purchased at the stadium ticket office and at shakhtar.com.
 
Opponents
 
Although Atalanta started their group stage campaign with 3 defeats, they easily rejoiced the competition after tying with City (1-1) and defeating Dinamo Zagreb (2-0). In a really even quartet, the Champions League debutants retain every chance of reaching the knockout phase before the closing round.
 
Atalanta suffered their most recent defeat at the hands of Juventus at home on November 23 (1-3), then starting a winning streak which currently includes 3 matches. After playing Dinamo Zagreb, the Black-and-Blues claimed Serie A wins vs Brescia (3-0) and Verona (3-2). It is noteworthy that in the last meeting, the decider was orchestrated in the stoppage time by three central defenders - Palomino, Toloi, and Djimsiti.
  
The Italian team will arrive in Kharkiv on Tuesday afternoon, December 10th. At 18:00, the Bergamaschi will try the OSK Metalist field and train there; and at 19:15, Gian Piero Gasperini and one of the team players will talk to reporters.
  
Previous meeting
 
On October 1, in Milan, Shakhtar claimed a 2-1 win. The Italians scored the opener (in the 28th minute, Zapata finished off Hateboer's right-flank delivery) after earning a spot-kick (Pyatov saved Ilicic's attempt from the spot). The Miners equalized before the break (Patrick brought Moraes through on goal, with Junior converting his chance) and could have even gone in front, however, Marlos’s free-kick just shattered the crossbar. In the second half, both teams had some great chances, with the denouement coming in the stoppage time when Dodo raced down the wing and provided Solomon with an assist.