AS Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk – Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, Betting Odds – Champions League – 16 February 2011
Italian Serie A club AS Roma hosts Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16. The match will take place at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Kickoff is scheduled for 19:45 GMT (UK time), 20:45 CET (Central Europe), and 14:45 EST (USA Eastern).
AS Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk TV Listings
It will be televised on Fox Soccer Plus (USA), Rogers Sportsnet (Canada), RAI 2 (Italy), Sky Sports 2 (UK), Setanta (Ireland), Sky Sport (Italy), Sky Sport (Germany), C+ Sport (France), and on Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East).
AS Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk Preview
Roma manager Claudio Ranieri
It was more difficult to prepare for this game?
“No. It was not difficult we are professionals we know we can win or lose, we’re loaded. “
Pizarro
“I spoke with him this morning. We still do not feel ready, if all goes well will be available against Parma. “
It ‘s a lot like many or most difficult part of its management?
“These facts are Roman gossip for the sake of the team. I expect a very good game, we start against a good team.Lucescu know him well and with great pleasure that I see him again tomorrow. Shakhtar is a lady team. Who said this was a good one ricrederà urn. “
You have enthusiasm?
I do have because they give me the players. If we want to do gossip gossip. I asked the players if the problem was me I would have gone away, I said no. We want to do well and fight and fight until the end.
Arrive at the right time to give the right incentives?
The incentives are there, we are fighting for important positions. Now we share is that this race is very important and the other two important games we play
Yesterday President Dr. Rosella Sensi has met some players and did not meet her?
“The president has great confidence in me that has not had the need to speak with me but with four players, it seemed a normal thing, a duty he had a good initiative.”
She had understood from the earliest days of the withdrawal that the turnover could be annoying?
“No but that’s normal. This does not digest facilemnte. I’ve had players in my career that have accepted the turnover only after changing teams. This is a special year in the building of Rome. Of this I have spoken with the boys. Did you see that by the rotation Philippe returned to National. He has digested well. We are not all equal. Football is too. “
“My happiness is from this date. I am very straightforward. We know that we are facing a particular situation. We must be one. I told him it would be a special season. Catch the news and it is right. Everything falls in football, but behind this we can be there. How do they renew the contract with the coach with the situation there. I do my work with love then I may be wrong, but that’s football “
The hierarchy of the goalkeepers is still the same?
“Yes Doni played tomorrow “
Totti is available?
“Sure.”
The conditions of Julio Sergio?
“He hurt his ankle so I have not taken into consideration.”
With regard to the behavior of Rosi …
“It ‘s been a gesture of unspeakable accept the judge’s decision?
Initially, you said that this was a season to suffer, then things have improved. Now?
“But I sometimes launch signals. I speak to you but also to the team. Now we have to make points, it is a strange league.I’ve always said I want to make a point more than last year. I certainly can not deceive. but as my character and the team, not give up “
Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu
- How difficult was it to prepare the team for the tie against Roma, given that Shakhtar played the last game in December?
First, of course, it was necessary to restore the functional state of the team. Regaining physical conditions turned out to be an easier task than to rediscover the players’ partnerships on the pitch. Our teamplay was one of Shakhtar’s highlights at the end of last year. Therefore, during the first training camp in the UAE, we made mistakes which we do not usually commit. But at the second training camp in Spain, the team looked much better having adapted to the principles which I had demanded. From game to game we were gathering momentum.
In the last match, before our players would have been called up to their national teams, we demonstrated good football having beaten Rosenborg 4:1. Then, obviously, it became more difficult as 14 players left for international duty with returning on February 11. After that, knowing that in Donetsk weather conditions are uncomfortable, we decided to come here earlier in order to properly prepare for the game against Roma.
- What strong and weak points have you found in Roma’s performance?
I would not like to talk about this issue in public but I would note that Roma are not used to losing three consecutive games. I mean, that game with Brescia, which ended with a score of 1:1, in principle, the equivalent of defeat. Now there is a certain nervousness in the team. As for tomorrow’s game, I can quote Arsene Wenger’s well said words about us in his recent interview : this young and promising team is very difficult to beat, especially in Donetsk. I hope our players will prove these words’ connection with the reality in tomorrow’s game.
- After training camp in Spain, you said that you have doubts over three positions. Are there still any doubts and can you tell about them?
There were some problems and I hope that we have already solved them. But tomorrow we will see whether we have eliminated them completely.
- Having analyzed Roma’s display, would you say that Shakhtar are tougher than the Romans?
I indicated Roma’s strong sides of play. They play very well on the breaks with launching quick attacking moves. In turn, Shakhtar are a team which controls the ball very well and consists of very young, skilful and fast players. Tomorrow we will see on the pitch what team are stronger.
- Is everyone fit and ready to play?
Yes, with the exception of Kucer, who has not arrived, and those who were not submitted for the Champions League.
- I was surprised to read that you are the founder of the football computerization. Will you carry on with this work?
I emphasize that I actually was the person who developed that . It all started with me and then many Italian clubs, such coaches as Hodgson, Lippi, Benitez and many others went on to use this system. Now I am not invlolved in that proccess.
Competition Stats
| AS Roma | Shakhtar Donetsk | |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Marco Borriello 4 | Eduardo 3 |
| Assists | Marco Borriello 1 | Darijo Srna 3 |
| Yellows | Jérémy Menez 2 | Tomás Hubschman 3 |
Next Matches
| AS Roma | Shakhtar Donetsk | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/16 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 2/16 | @AS Roma |
| 3/8 | @Shakhtar Donetsk | 3/8 | AS Roma |
AS Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction
AS Roma wins 1-0
AS Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk Betting Odds
Roma win – 10/11
Draw – 12/5
Shakhtar win – 3/1
