Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Fulham (agg 2 - 3)

Fulham produced a backs-to-the-wall display to seal a famous Europa League win against Uefa Cup holders Shakhtar.
The Ukrainian side dominated before Brede Hangeland headed in Damien Duff's free-kick with Fulham's first chance. 
Jadson swept home an equaliser from 12 yards after great work from Douglas Costa on the right-hand side. 
Danny Murphy was sent off for kicking out at Darijo Srna late on but Fulham held on to set up a mouth-watering last-16 clash against Juventus. 
It was a resilient, if not pretty, performance from Roy Hodgson's men against the side who won the competition last season in its previous guise as the Uefa Cup. 
But the hardy Fulham fans who travelled to near-freezing Donetsk will care little about the manner of a triumph that should be classed among the finest in the club's history.
Shakhtar had not played since the first leg, because of the Ukrainian league's winter break, but showed no signs of rustiness as they began the game in electric fashion. 
With five Brazilians in the hosts' team, the South American influence was plain to see from the slick one-touch passing that left Fulham chasing shadows from the first whistle.
www.bbc.co.uk

Shakhtar - Fulham

Ukrainians are the previous year winners and surely one of the main candidates to win the competition again. In the first game at Craven Cottage, they were dominant, had a safe draw before Zamora struck an amazing hit for 1-2. At home, Shakhtar are always favorites, play attacking, have a pitch with extremely short grass that allow them a short pass play and their home record looks scary. In domain league, they have all 8 home wins with 26 goals scored and just four conceded. In Europe, they exited CL qualification after knocking out from Romanians – Timisoara (on away goals, two draws) and after that smashed Sivasspor (2-0), Partizan (4-1), Toulouse (4-0) and in last group game where progress were assured drew vs. Club Brugge 0-0. Main problem for Shakhtar could be a league break in Ukraine, as they played last competitive game 12.12., but in the same round last year they eliminated another Premier League side Tottenham (2-0 at home, 1-1 away). Boss Mircea Lucescu has two concerns, defender Razvan Rat and striker Luiz Adriano are both doubtful. 

Fulham traveled to Ukraine without a pressure as their status in domain league is safe. Boss Roy Hodgson doesn’t have too big squad to rotate players and I expect their best eleven from the start. Cottagers are typical home side and have a lots of problems on the road, in Premier League and in Europe as well. In Europa League, they managed just one away win Basel (3-2). Hodgson stated he has no intention of playing for a draw, but attacking formation against Shakhtar on the road could be only a death penalty. I expect their cautious start with not too much risk. Their advantage could be set-pieces and individual efforts of Damien Duff or excellent Bobby Zamora. However, Fulham will be without on-loan defender Nicky Shorey who is ineligible for the match, while full-back Paul Konchesky is still injured. 

Hosts are favorites here. They have top quality team, proved ambitions, their pitch and have much more experience of playing European competitions. Fulham have their hidden jokers, but this would be a tough test for any of top clubs in Europe and I simply don’t think they can cope with it. Also, freezing temperature (-4c is expected tonight in Donetsk, in London +6) and a cold wind won’t help. Best bet would be -1 ah, the alternative is -1.5.

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Enough of this

I'm so bored. No new analyzes till friday. Championship finally (I mean finally!) start! Also, round in Ireland. So, till tomorrow...

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FC Timisoara 0 - 0 Shakhtar Donetsk

Partizan Belgrade 1 - 0 APOEL Nicosia

FC Timisoara - Shakhtar Donetsk

Timisoara had a more than successful season in Romanian league. They finished at the second place with just three points less than champions Unirea. Timisoara have a new boss, Ioan Ovidiu Sabau who came from Bistrica, but team is almost the same. Only big signing is midfielder Vuorceanu (ex Otelul). They had a very interesting home record, 14 wins, one draw and just two defeats! Usually, home ground and noisy fans (btw. stadium is sold out for tonight’s game) are very big advantage for them. Also, they like to play counter attacks, have very fast wingers and that strategy gives the results against main Romanian teams (Steaua, Cluj, Rapid…), but also in Ukraine in first match. In Donetsk, Timisoara were defending at own half almost entire game, but made (just) two counter attacks and scored twice with two goals by George Bukur! At the end 2-2 draw that gives decent chances for progress. Good news for Sabau come from medical, as key striker Costa Rican Winston Parks, who got a knock in Donetsk, is just slightly injured and will appear.

In the previous season, Shakhtar failed to brake Dynamo Kiev’s domination in Ukraine and, like Timisoara, finished second. With a trophy from UEFA Cup it was far from bad season, but it’s not enough to fill the appetite of the chairman, multimillionaire Rinat Akhmetov. Beside the title in domain league, group stage of the Champions League is a main target. But, they faced a big obstacle on the first step. Against Romanians, Shakhtar were much better opponent, dominating during the game, creating the chances and two times hit the post, but at the end just a draw. For a re-match, they’ll be much stronger. Boss Mircea Lucescu watched the first game from the hospital, but will lead the team from the bench in Romania. Also, two key defenders Razvan Rat and Dmytro Chygrynskiy will return to the squad. Players learnt their lesson, this time won’t be any underestimation, but will have to chase the result. Very unfriendly crowd will make them a hot welcome on the stadium, but it is something that Ukrainian side used to face with. Stake is the highest, Akhmetov knows to be very generous, quality is on their side and I see Shakhtar as a favorite tonight.

Home side has a result that give them a chance to play patient using every chance for counter-attacks, as they like the most. Visitors are under the pressure to show first game was just a bad day. For them, elimination would mean the season is over, even before it actually started. I see another high scoring game and go on goals. Expekt offer 1.95. Over.

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