Lucescu hoping memories will spur Shakhtar

With his side struggling on the domestic scene, FC Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu is hoping past success against FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League can inspire them to raise their game once again.

Past memories
Shakhtar's 2-0 home victory over Barcelona in their final match of the 2004/05 group stage is regarded as one of the club's finest European results. The Spanish team had already qualified for the knockout rounds, yet Lucescu believes that triumph can convince his players that whatever their form – and Shakhtar have won just one Ukrainian Premier League game in nine – they have the potential to repeat the feat. "We watched the match again, just to see that these teams can be beaten," said Lucescu, whose side are attempting to reach the first knockout round for the first time. "We played very good football then, and now we have to reproduce it."

Under pressure
Nevertheless, it might not be so easy for the hosts – who won their opening Group C fixture 2-1 at FC Basel 1893 – to put their disappointing league performances to one side. With the players coming under mounting pressure, the Romanian coach is happy for the break that European football brings. "There is a big difference between league games and Champions League matches," Lucescu said. "The game against Barcelona is like a festival. It's always a joy when top clubs visit Donetsk." However, while acknowledging that his team need to recover their rhythm soon, the 63-year-old rebuked suggestions he would leave the job to somebody else. "We're under heavy pressure and are trying to get through. I'm a fighter by nature so I would never leave the club in such a situation.

Support needed
"Criticism is what we get but we need support, especially on the eve of our first Champions League home game," Lucescu added. "We have won all three matches in European competition [including third qualifying round victories against NK Dinamo Zagreb], and I don't think we deserve that much criticism. Today we badly need support and love from our fans." The coach can welcome back left-back Răzvan Raţ but is missing another full-back, Olexandr Kucher, with either Mykola Ischenko or Volodymyr Yezerskiy to step in.

Looking forward
In contrast to Shakhtar, the mood in the Barcelona camp is high following three consecutive Spanish Liga victories. Add in their 3-1 home win over Sporting Clube de Portugal in the UEFA Champions League and coach Josep Guardiola has reasons to be confident. However, the 37-year-old is only looking forward. "We have to forget the past," he said. "What really matters is the next match. Four wins in a row is great but we shouldn't relax. We respect Shakhtar as we know it is very difficult to beat them at their place.

'Best lineup' 
"We will play our best lineup," Guardiola went on. "Shakhtar are not a team who will roll over for you." The coach has added defender Martín Cáceres to the squad for the game at the RSC Olympiyskiy Stadium. Midfielder Aleksandr Hleb has made his first full training appearance since picking up a sprained ankle on 13 September, but will not feature for the Catalan club.