Champions League: Round of 16 ties ranked
By Orri Benatar
This tie features the weakest runner-up and the weakest group stage winner.
Shakhtar and Roma are both having decent campaigns, with The Miners leading the Ukrainian Premier League, and La Lupa currently 5th in Serie A.
Roma has been better in the Champions League, compared to what they’ve been in the Serie A.
They won Group C with just nine goals, but six of those came at the expense of Chelsea (who stink now). They will rely heavily on Edin Dzeko to score goals pass an aging Donetsk backline, led by Darijo Srna – who is 35 years old.
Donetsk was able to finish six points clear of a very strong Napoli side and beat Manchester City on the final day of the group stages. Donetsk’s Brazilian trio of Fred, Taison, and Bernard, have combined for 13 goals, in all competitions and should be looked at, as a fierce attacking force.
Both teams have a golden opportunity to squeeze into the last eight, and neither will play to squander it. Donetsk and Roma, can be a high scoring affair – with underrated strikers on both ends of the field.
This tie lacks a superstar team – but that doesn’t mean it won’t produce two entertaining games.
Leg 1 – Wednesday 2/21 – 2:45 pm EST – Stadion Metalist
Leg 2 – Tuesday 3/13 – 3:45 pm EST – Stadio Olimpico