It’s time to kick the Champions League knockout rounds off, and we’ve got a treat as Ukrainian power Shaktar Donetsk host German juggernaut Bayern Munich. This has a chance to be a fun, open, end to end match full of skill and entertainment, though it looks more and more like it could be a very one-sided affair.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Bayern Munich, Champions League 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
The odds seem impossible, but Shaktar Donetsk have to earn some kind of result over Bayern Munich in order to have any chance at reaching the Champions League quarter finals.
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Bayern had a minor hiccup in their form once the Bundesliga came out of its winter break, but have returned to their overwhelmingly strong form in more recent matches. Shaktar, on the other hand, haven’t played a competitive match since their last Champions League group stage clash with Athletic Bilbao all the way back in December thanks to the Ukrainian Premier League’s long winter break. Shaktar also have a second disadvantage: they’ve been forced to play in Lviv, clear across the country and some 1,200 kilometers from their home of the Donbass Arena in the Donetsk region wracked by separatist conflict. Without the comfort of a home crowd and the sharpness of form brought by competitive play, Shaktar will be hard-pressed to get a much-needed result against Bayern.
Key player - Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich)
No matter where he plays, Müller is the beating heart of this Bayern team. His dynamism and versatility allows him to play wherever Pep Guardiola sticks him on the pitch without a misstep. Be it at striker, in midfield, or on the wing, you can guarantee that Müller will be in the middle of anything good Bayern do today.
Key Matchup - Alex Teixeira vs. Bastian Schweinsteiger
Just as Müller is the heart of Bayern’s side, so Teixeira has become the heart of Shaktar. The attacking midfielder’s direct play and skill on the ball allows Shaktar to play at their best, so it’ll be up to Schweinsteiger to slow him down. The German veteran still has plenty left in the tank, and is more than capable of keeping Teixeira in check. If he pulls it off, it’ll be all the harder for the Ukrainians to pull off an upset.
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Shakhtar Donetsk injuries and suspensions
Out: Taras Stepanenko (suspended). In doubt: Bernard (ankle)
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Phillip Lahm (ankle), Javi Martinez (knee), Thiago Alcantara (knee) In doubt: Xabi Alonso (thigh)
Shaktar have used their winter break to get healthy, though Bernard could miss out. Bayern are more battered, with Lahm only just returning to training after fracturing his ankle, and both Martinez and Alcantara will be out at least another month each with long-term knee injuries. Both Rafinha and Franck Ribery recently returned from injuries of their own, so may not quite be fully up to speed yet if they play.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 9:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
TV: Fox Sports 2 (U.S. - English), Fox Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), Sportsnet World (Canada), TeleClub Sport Live (Germany), 2+2 (Ukraine)
Online: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2GO (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany), Sky Go (U.K.)
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