Facundo Ferreyra believes Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma both have a “50-50” chance of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.
The first leg of their Round of 16 tie kicks off on Wednesday at 19.45 GMT at the Metalist Stadion in Kharkhiv.
“When we drew Roma, I thought that at this stage of the Champions League all of the teams are strong. Whether it's Roma or any other team, we will do our best, just as we did in the group stage and that brought us results,” the striker told asroma.com.
Facundo Ferreyra believes Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma both have a “50-50” chance of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.
The first leg of their Round of 16 tie kicks off on Wednesday at 19.45 GMT at the Metalist Stadion in Kharkhiv.
“When we drew Roma, I thought that at this stage of the Champions League all of the teams are strong. Whether it's Roma or any other team, we will do our best, just as we did in the group stage and that brought us results,” the striker told asroma.com.
“The team have been preparing very well. The motivation is great. We know that we are facing a crucial game for both the whole team and the fans, and we want to please them.”
Shakhtar Donetsk have already eliminated Napoli from the competition in the group phase, earning four wins and two defeats, while Roma caused their own upset by finishing top ahead of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
“I didn’t have the possibility to watch their performances closely,” confessed Ferreyra.
“I know that they had a very strong group including Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, although they managed to advance from the group in the top spot. This proves that they are really strong.
“Honestly, I’d prefer to play the decider at home, but this doesn’t diminish our optimism at all. We need to deliver a great performance at home and go to Rome with an advantage.
“I suppose the chances are equal – 50-50. Roma are a very good team but we believe in our strength and condition.”
The Shakhtar Donetsk man was asked which player he would remove from the Roma team.
“Roma have many players like that. Fortunately, Francesco Totti has finished his career but [Radja] Nainggolan is in top form now.”