Partizan Belgrade vs Shakhtar Donetsk preview - Shakhtar close in on qualification

Posted Tuesday, November 23, 2010 by PA

Shakhtar Donetsk defender Dmytro Chygrynsky insists his team will take the game to Partizan Belgrade as they look to book a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Ukrainian Premier League leaders will ensure a place in the knockout phase with a game to spare if they win in Serbia and Braga fail to beat Arsenal in Portugal. A draw would also be enough for the Pitmen if Braga lose to the Gunners.

Former Barcelona defender Chygrynsky believes his team will be highly motivated for the match and told shakhtar.com: "We are going to Belgrade to settle the issue of our qualification from the group.

"We need to win. If we claim the victory, then I think our target of going through to the knockout stage will be reached."

Partizan have lost all four of their Group H matches so far and already know that they will not be involved in European competition after Christmas however they perform in their final two matches.

Chygrynsky added: "Naturally, Partizan want to please their fans, they have nothing to lose. But we are also seriously preparing for this clash. I think that Shakhtar's motivation is more serious. We still have the chance of qualifying from the group."

Both sides come into the match in rude health on the domestic front.

Shakhtar are 12 points clear of Dynamo Kiev at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League and have won their last nine league matches in a row, while Partizan are three points above Red Star Belgrade at the top of the Super Liga and have won six matches in succession.

Nemanja Tomic and Marko Scepovic are almost certain to miss out for Partizan after they were sent to train with the reserves by Partizan boss Aleksandar Stanojevic.

He told the club's official website: "I removed those two players from the first team and I already said regarding the case that the Partizan jersey is above all of us.

"As a player, I was part of the Partizan youth academy and educated in such a manner. As long as I'm Partizan coach, Partizan will be above all of us.

"Everyone should give his maximum, and even if you play just a few minutes or none at all, you have to stay positive.

"I'm nothing compared to Partizan, and the same goes for every player. This decision didn't come overnight. (Tomic and Scepovic) were warned several times and this is always going to happen while I'm Partizan coach and certain players do not respect this sacred jersey."