Next up Shakhtar Donetsk

[Wonderwall]

Next up are Shakhtar.
They won the their equivalent of the charity shield against Kiev at the start of their season and currently sit top of the league table. The only blot on their copy book is the league loss to Kiev back in July

Their league record reads,
10 games
8 wins
1 draw
1 loss
GF 21
GA 8

Last time out in the champions league they beat a much fancied Napoli 2-1 and looked good value at 2-0 until Napoli pulled one back through a penalty.

Notable players are the Brazilian attack force who they like to field in their starting 11.

Fred
Taison
Bernard
Marlos

Plus a few other Brazilian players.... Alan might get a shout out if he comes on.

Not known as good travellers, let's hope that continues tomorrow night.

[Justified logic]

Shakhtar one man down...

Drug ban for Darijo Srna

Shakhtar Donetsk have been rocked in the build up to Tuesday night’s match in Manchester.

That’s after news has broken that their club captain, Darijo Srna, has been banned from playing against City.

News has broken that the 35-year-old failed a doping test back in March.

Srna has publicly denied the charges, while he’s now focused on trying to clear his name. That’s resulted in him taking a leave from action.

Srna released the following statement about failing the doping test:

Firstly and most importantly, I would like to make it clear that I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any prohibited substance, nor unfairly intended to gain a competitive advantage. I am investigating the possible source of the substance and am cooperating fully with NADCU in this respect.

In order to focus on my defence and avoid any undue distractions for the team, I have made the decision to refrain myself from playing until the ongoing legal proceedings have been resolved. I will now be focused entirely on clearing my name and reputation.

[Justified logic]

On the morning of September 25, the Miners flew to the UEFA Champions League matchday 2 game venue

Fonseca’s 20 men

At 10:30 am, the plane with the Donetsk delegation on board headed for Manchester. The squad list for the game vs Man City includes 20 players:

goalkeepers: Andriy Pyatov, Mykyta Shevchenko, Oleh Kudryk;
defenders: Bohdan Butko, Ismaily, Marcio Azevedo, Yaroslav Rakits’kyy, Ivan Ordets, David Khocholava;
midfielders: Taras Stepanenko, Fred, Alan Patrick, Viktor Kovalenko, Marlos, Taison, Bernard, Dentinho, Ivan Petriak;
forwards: Gustavo Blanco Leschuk, Facundo Ferreyra.

Four-hour flight

The Donetsk club executives headed by the CEO Sergei Palkin, a group of reporters and Shakhtar U19 team also flew with the senior team to Manchester. Serhii Shyschenko’s boys are to take on their City counterparts in the UEFA Youth League round 2 tomorrow. The flight to England lasted nearly four hours. At 2:10 pm, the airplane landed at the Manchester Airport.

Media activities

Shakhtar will have some traditional pre-match media events tonight. At 7:00 pm, Shakhtar head coach Paulo Fonseca and midfielder Taras Stepanenko will answer the reporters’ questions (watch the live stream in the official Facebook page). After the press conference, the Orange-and-Blacks will hold an open training session on the City of Manchester pitch.

The news article features Kyiv time (EET)

[Mikhail Chigorin]

I could be quite worried about this one, with their attacking threat (perhaps a sort of parallel with Monaco last season), except that I can't honestly say I'm that bothered about the Chumps League, which takes the edge off things in some form of mitigation.

I know I should be bothered about this competition; it is City after all and our owners really want to win it but it's hard to take a corrupt UEFA 'shindig' of this nature seriously, after all they've done to us over the years.

However, to follow in the footsteps of a certain Scouse tipster, who knows nothing about football IMHO, I'll throw all pessimistic thoughts in the bin and go for 2-0 to City.

[Justified logic]

Oh no! We're doomed.

[Chinners]

Nah, we are going to smash them .... 2-0

[Dwaring]

Saw this article today. Quite intesteing to see how much possession City and Shakhtar enjoy. Something has to give.

http://www.football-observatory.com/IMG ... index.html

[Swales4ever]

Oh no! We're doomed.

nope, JL.
a two goals break can still fall under the notion of a cheeky prudent assessment, given recent outcomes and particularly when falling under the proposition of expecting an open attacking attitude from opponents.

Nonetheless I'm with You: I wish our reverred Chessmaster went Typical City once again.

[nottsblue]

Saw this article today. Quite intesteing to see how much possession City and Shakhtar enjoy. Something has to give.

http://www.football-observatory.com/IMG ... index.html

Like to see that graph in January. Reckon our figures won't have changed all that much

[Nigels Tackle]

we'll win 7-0

[nottsblue]

I could be quite worried about this one, with their attacking threat (perhaps a sort of parallel with Monaco last season), except that I can't honestly say I'm that bothered about the Chumps League, which takes the edge off things in some form of mitigation.

I know I should be bothered about this competition; it is City after all and our owners really want to win it but it's hard to take a corrupt UEFA 'shindig' of this nature seriously, after all they've done to us over the years.

However, to follow in the footsteps of a certain Scouse tipster, who knows nothing about football IMHO, I'll throw all pessimistic thoughts in the bin and go for 2-0 to City.

I'm in this club as well MC.

I'd also take a 'Lawro' for the result. Chavs away is the focal point for me

[carl_feedthegoat]

I hope we continue booing the shitty CL anthem.
Its usually the best part of the game for me.

[Green & Blue]

I think we will cause them all sorts of problems, comfortable win tomorrow night.

[Swales4ever]

On the broader Uefarupt League topic, I generally feel as anyone else.
Basically what I make most of, is about having a good spell for increased revenue on the books and coefficent purposes.

this season I think we are underdog challenger, almost granted to land QF and, barring a very hot bean in the QF, most possibly the semi.
from then on, as always for any club, at least since the Berluscones (Maldini, Baresi and the magic Dutch trio), it will basically be down to which side hit those 2 months on the best form. would be very happy with that.

BUT, on a very speculative note, I can't help but thinking that broadcasting rights will return to Murdoch, next season.
So that, I happen to wonder how many of us, not all that fussed by the thing, would trade their righteous and knightly stance, for the vicked pleasure of listening that Tylerscum asshole, troubled between his own sentiments and the NEED to show some enthusiastic support for the first English Club to reach the final in almost a decade?
is it too much a mind wank?
anyone take?

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Oh no! We're doomed.

nope, JL.
a two goals break can still fall under the notion of a cheeky prudent assessment, given recent outcomes and particularly when falling under the proposition of expecting an open attacking attitude from opponents.

Nonetheless I'm with You: I wish our reverred Chessmaster went Typical City once again.

Oh heck, I'd completely forgotten that Bravo will be in goal.........can I now change my prediction to a 3-2 City defeat ??

You know it makes sense..........

[Swales4ever]

obliged Sir

[Mikhail Chigorin]

obliged Sir

Phew, thanks chum.

[Swales4ever]

[carl_feedthegoat]

Oh no! We're doomed.

nope, JL.
a two goals break can still fall under the notion of a cheeky prudent assessment, given recent outcomes and particularly when falling under the proposition of expecting an open attacking attitude from opponents.

Nonetheless I'm with You: I wish our reverred Chessmaster went Typical City once again.

Oh heck, I'd completely forgotten that Bravo will be in goal.........can I now change my prediction to a 3-2 City defeat ??

You know it makes sense..........

If Bravo is in goal I just won't watch.

[zuricity]

Oh no! We're doomed.

nope, JL.
a two goals break can still fall under the notion of a cheeky prudent assessment, given recent outcomes and particularly when falling under the proposition of expecting an open attacking attitude from opponents.

Nonetheless I'm with You: I wish our reverred Chessmaster went Typical City once again.

Oh heck, I'd completely forgotten that Bravo will be in goal.........can I now change my prediction to a 3-2 City defeat ??

You know it makes sense..........

If Bravo is in goal I just won't watch.

I can't believe Guardiola is so dense .