Slim chance sustains Shakhtar's Jadson

The burden of responsibility is weighing heavily on FC Shakhtar Donetsk shoulders as they enter their final UEFA Champions League Group D game against SL Benfica.

'Responsibility'
However, according to midfielder Jadson, the Ukrainian team will give everything to meet the challenge facing them on Tuesday at the RSC Olympiyskiy Stadium. "We have great responsibility on our shoulders and we will do our best to win," said the 24-year-old Brazilian.

'Still a chance'
Jadson is one of five Shakhtar players to have appeared in each of their nine UEFA Champions League matches this season, including qualifiers. They go into their tenth game needing a win, combined with a defeat for second-placed Celtic FC at AC Milan, to progress in the competition. "All the players realise how important this match is," said the former Clube Atlético Paranaense prospect. "We still have a chance to advance from the group, so we have to do all we can to get the win against Benfica."

Portuguese flair
Draw and Shakhtar, third in the group, will qualify for the UEFA Cup's spring campaign; lose, however, and Benfica will overtake them to take the consolation prize. "Benfica have a good squad of players and their top man, for me at least, is Rui Costa," said Jadson of the visitors. "I know the ability of Portuguese players, but our job will be to prevent them showing it and to stop them playing the kind of football they are capable of."

Lisbon winner
Jadson, who is in his fourth season at Shakhtar, will welcome back fellow midfielder Fernandinho from suspension: it was his compatriot who provided the assist for Jadson's winner in the 1-0 success at Benfica on 3 October. At the time the Donetsk club had a maximum six points; three straight losses since then have left them with a great onus on Matchday 6 which only victory will lift.