Match Previews

Kucher (r) (def), Lewandowki (sp) (mid) and Mareca (k) (att) all out due to suspension... Some minor rotation, but lineup is strong... Shakhtar fought back bravely to overcome Nancy in the last round of the UEFA Cup, but a trip to the reigning champions is another proposition entirely for the Ukranian men. After a 1-1 draw in first leg, the Donetsk side fought back in the second with a lone goal from Fernandinho (k) late on securing an historic win in France. Shakhtar will travel to Spain to face the reigning champions in what will be a very different encounter. With the Ukranian season once again well underway after the interlude, the Donetsk side will have the match sharpness that they so lacked against Nancy, but may also be somewhat tired after their 3-0 home win at the weekend. As for those who take part, Shust (r) will almost certainly start in goal, with Rat (r) on the right, and Chigrinsky (r) also set to be involved in the middle, although with Kucher (r) out after his indiscipline in the last game, the second central defender alongside the latter could be Hubschman (sp), who played at the weekend, or more likely Shevchuk (sp). Srna (r) is set to take his usual, reliable place on the left. In the midfield, Lewandowski (sp) has featured quite heavily recently, and has already made his mark in Europe, but will miss out here due to suspension. Matuzalem (r), so influential in the attack, should line up in the middle, Fernandinho (k) also surely taking part, but options are available elsewhere with the likes of attacking Byelik (sp) and Jadson (sp) pushing for a start: the latter is set to play on the left with Elano (r) on the right. Duljaj (sp) could hope to provide a calming presence in a dangerous arena with defensively-minded play after taking part at the weekend but perhaps surprisingly after his excellent League performance, he has been dropped. The team misses Tymoschuk, former captain, after his transfer to Zenit of Russia. Vorobyey (r) was taken off at half time in the last league tie and thus could not be considered fully impressive but seems set to keep his place, the prolific Brandao (sp) providing foil for the forward, with Byelik (r), top league scorer, unlikely to be a starter. With a few changes, there are minor examples of squad rotation in action, but this is generally a strong Shakhtar team. It could still change before kickoff but regardless, Sevilla need to watch for this Brazilian-influenced team from the East, as it's had some great European results before.