Barcelona are aiming to continue their 100% winning start in the Champions League when they host Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
Wins over Antwerp and FC Porto has put Barca top of Group H, whilst Shakhtar’s own victory over Antwerp, after defeat to Porto, leaves them in third.
The last time these two teams faced off in the competition was in a 2011 Quarter Final, with Barca convincingly progressing 6-1 on aggregate.
And you must look back to 2008, and a 3-2 victory at the Camp Nou, to find Shakhtar’s last win over the Catalan giants.
Barcelona are without an array of key players, including Robert Lewandowski, who is out with an ankle injury, and Gavi, who was suspended in their win over Porto in match week two.
Xavi, Barca’s manager, commented: “We will miss Gavi, especially against a good, technical and physical side like Shakhtar.”
Shakhtar Donetsk’s caretaker manager Darijo Srna outlined: “Our players came here to show what we can do. And we know how to play beautiful football.”
Shakhtar are still without 14 squad players due to the ongoing conflict, but new manager Marino Pusic did run a session at the Estadi Olimpic, Barcelona’s home during the Camp Nou’s renovation.
Predicted score: Barcelona 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
