Mircea Lucescu warns both Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk on what they expect in tonight’s Champions League showdown.
It kicks off at 19.45 GMT after the Ukrainians won the first leg 2-1.
“Obviously, I know Shakhtar very well,” Lucescu told Radio Centro Suono Sport.
He is currently the Turkey national manager, but was Coach of Donetsk and spent much of his career in Italy too.
“I am convinced Shakhtar will do everything to
Mircea Lucescu warns both Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk on what they expect in tonight’s Champions League showdown.
It kicks off at 19.45 GMT after the Ukrainians won the first leg 2-1.
“Obviously, I know Shakhtar very well,” Lucescu told Radio Centro Suono Sport.
He is currently the Turkey national manager, but was Coach of Donetsk and spent much of his career in Italy too.
“I am convinced Shakhtar will do everything to clam up and go on the counter-attack, as they have very rapid forwards who can take men on, from Bernard to Marlos, from Taison to Fred.
“They can also attack down the flanks with extreme pace. Shakhtar have created a mentality and philosophy of football, while some players have reached the right age of maturation, around 28, and they were very young when I was there.
“I am convinced that Roma can play great football. They are a very interesting team with a lot of experience. The first leg result leaves qualification wide open to any scenario.
“If Roma repeat their first half performance in Kharkiv, then they can create huge problems for Shakhtar. However, they must watch out for Fred, as he is the real star of Shakhtar and sets the tempo.”
As manager of Turkey, Lucescu obviously knows Giallorossi forward Cengiz Under well too.
“He is first and foremost a lovely guy, humble, but also has ambition. We need to wait, as he’s not at his peak yet, but has a great future ahead of him.
“Under has extraordinary talent, Eusebio Di Francesco is putting faith in him.”