Preview

March 11, Rome, Stadio Olimpico, 22:00

Match build-up

In the afternoon of March 10, Shakhtar arrived in the Italian capital and checked into a hotel. The same evening, the team held a regular training session at the Stadio Olimpico, while Luis Castro and Ismaily answered reporters' questions. There are 23 players on the preliminary squad list. The Miners came for the match against Roma without Taras Stepanenko who has not taken part in the last four matches.

With Luis Castro at the helm, the team have had 20 games in European competitions, claiming nine wins, along with six draws and five defeats. The next goal will be 150th under the Portuguese coach in all competitions. We also want to note that Alan Patrick may well make his 150th appearance with the Orange-and-Blacks this Thursday.

Opponents

The European draw has again brought together Paulo Fonseca and his former club: in the Round of 32 it was Braga, now it is Shakhtar. The Romans have enjoyed a successful run in the Europa League: in the group with the Swiss Young Boys, the Romanian CFR and the Bulgarian CSKA they claimed the top spot after securing four wins, being tied to a draw and having 13 points. They made it past Braga quite confidently: 2-0 away and 3-1 at home. Their top scorer in the competition is Borja Mayoral (five goals).

Roma finished fifth in Serie A outside the Champions League zone last season. Currently, Fonseca's men are about to secure a better standing, being one position higher after 26 rounds. Their major rivals in the competition for the fourth place are Atalanta and Napoli. However, they are also just six points adrift of the second-spot Milan. The Romans lost a recent head-to-head meeting with the Rossoneri (1-2), but after that they claimed two straight league victories: over Fiorentina (2-1) and Genoa (1-0).

Another interesting fact is Henrikh Mkhitaryan versus Shakhtar. The former Shakhtar footballer is one of Roma's leaders, at least the best assist provider (9 assists in all competitions). And in terms of goals (11), he is also one of the leaders. Veretout (who will obviously miss the match due to injury) and Mayoral have the same number of goals.

Head-to-head record

Shakhtar and Roma faced each other in three Champions League editions. In total, they had six encounters: four wins in favour of the Donetsk side and two claimed by the Romans. The goal difference 9-8 in favour of the Miners.

Previous meeting