Oh what a twisted web Shakhtar and Juventus could weave today in the Ukraine. Shakhtar is safely through to the Round of 16, while Juevntus simply need one point to secure their place. Sure winning the group is always preferable to improve your chances of avoiding a “big” club in the next round, but so making sure you’re in the next round is also good.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Juventus: Preview and TV schedule
Shakhtar is through to the next round, Juventus just need a point to secure their spot. A bland, scoreless draw seems in the cards, but you never know.
Of course, just what these teams will do is a mystery. They’ve said all the right things to the press but there’s a good chance they’ll just kick the ball around for 90 minutes and both start preparing for the knockout round draw.
CONSPIRACY!
If this match ends as a dull scoreless draw you can expect all sorts of cries from various English fans and media outlets claiming some kind of nefarious conspiracy. This is stupid because Chelsea would be glad to just get their point and move were they in the same position as either of these teams.
Shakhtar Donetsk injuries and suspensions
Out: Luiz Adriano (suspended). In doubt: Dmytro Chygrynskiy (thigh), Tomas Hubschmann (thigh).
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Claudio Marchisio (suspended).
Adriano is suspended for his infamous goal against Nordsjaelland, while both defenders Chygrynskiy and Hubschmann's availability is up in the air with both struggling with thigh injuries. Juventus's Marchisio will sit this one out serving a one-match ban for yellow card accumulation.
Match Date/Time: 10:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Donbass Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine
TV: DirecTV (U.S.), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.)
Online: FOX Soccer 2 Go (U.S.), Sky Sports Interactive (U.K.)
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