Pre-Match Talk..2nd October 7:45pm Kick Off..
Ukraine.....let me bore you with probably something you either know or don't .Once again,Ukraine,country in eastern Europe,unitary state made up of 24 provinces,one autonomous republic,and two cities with special status : Kiev its capital and largest city and Sevastopol,which houses the Russian Black sea fleet under a leasing agreement.The country is home to 46 million people,77.8 percent of whom are ethnic Ukrainians with sizable minorities of Russians(17%),Belarusians and Romanians. Ukrainian is the official language....
The Italians will welcome Shakhtar in their usual relaxed,care free but entertaining way.They(Italians) are usually rallied by a famous saying "Un Mito..Una Storia..Una Realta'..which means a myth,a history,a reality....and all this usually happens in 90minutes of football?well time will tell..
In more words to come..Sabi Boi
Okay,enough about the boring stuff...in footballing terms......Ukraine,country in Eastern Europe,biggest gem-Andrei Shevchenko and two biggest teams Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk...Shakhtar has appeared in several European competitions and currently is often a participant of the UEFA Champions League. The club became the first Ukrainian club to win the UEFA Cup in 2009, the last year before the competition was revamped as the Europa League. They are one of only two Ukrainian clubs, the other being Dynamo Kyiv to have won a major UEFA competition.But all this nice tiny piece of history doesn't matter because Shakhtar is mixing it up with the big boys,in the champions league and their next stop is in the city of Turin to play the old mama of Italy the black and white stripes...Juventus FC...The Bianconeris
Italian football has been in the bad books for a couple of years due to match fixing scandals which Juventus have been deeply involved in but they still have produced quality football and world class players.Juventus whom were found guilty of match fixing allegations were relegated in 2006.They returned to the Serie A the following season and maintained their top status as a top Italian team. Juventus is the most successful club in Italy,boasting of 28 league titles and won the Serie A last season going unbeaten and they are still unbeaten into the new season,making it 45 games unbeaten since they lost to Parma 1-0 15th may 2011.
Italian football has been in the bad books for a couple of years due to match fixing scandals which Juventus have been deeply involved in but they still have produced quality football and world class players.Juventus whom were found guilty of match fixing allegations were relegated in 2006.They returned to the Serie A the following season and maintained their top status as a top Italian team. Juventus is the most successful club in Italy,boasting of 28 league titles and won the Serie A last season going unbeaten and they are still unbeaten into the new season,making it 45 games unbeaten since they lost to Parma 1-0 15th may 2011.
They have played 6 matches so far this season in the league,won 5 and drawn 1 putting them on top of the table.Their first champions league match this season was against the holders Chelsea,where they went 2-0 down thanks to a stunning brace from Chelsea new signing Oscar in the 31st and 33rd minutes but in their ever patient style plus a strong defensive quota,they clawed their way back with 2 shots on target from a first half goal from Arturo Vidal in the 38th minute and the equalizer came from Fabio Quagliralla in the 80th minute.they have a midfield general in Andre Pirlo and he showed that by giving Mikel Obi a good lesson in midfield operations.and will be fresh after humbling Roma 4-1 at the weekend.However,Shakhtar are coming as top team in ukraine as they top the table and are 6 points ahead of Dynamo kyiv.They won their last game against Dnipro Dnipropetrovisk 2-1 and certainly will be no pushovers.they also top the group as they beat new boys,Danish champions FC Nordsjaelland 2-0 on the opening day of the champions league.Thanks to two goals from Henrik Mkhitaryan in the 44th and 76th minute.One of those goals assisted by key man Luis Adriano.
Both teams have met in the old form of UEFA cup in 1976-77 season where Juventus won 3-0 at home and lost 1-0 away.This is the first meeting in the champions League(stating the obvious).Shakhtar may have traveled far but certainly did not travel for nothing especially if they are motivated by their club song..
Both teams have met in the old form of UEFA cup in 1976-77 season where Juventus won 3-0 at home and lost 1-0 away.This is the first meeting in the champions League(stating the obvious).Shakhtar may have traveled far but certainly did not travel for nothing especially if they are motivated by their club song..
"Glory to you, Shakhtar!Heavens of football starsWill always be on your side,And the light of your best dreamsIs shining from above.
Refrain:
Refrain:
Beauty of green fields, that's for you, Shakhtar.My fate is in your hands, you are the best, Shakhtar.And for you, Shakhtar, the medal of my loveWill always shine on pitch where you are,And forever will protect you from defeatThe brightest football star!"
The Italians will welcome Shakhtar in their usual relaxed,care free but entertaining way.They(Italians) are usually rallied by a famous saying "Un Mito..Una Storia..Una Realta'..which means a myth,a history,a reality....and all this usually happens in 90minutes of football?well time will tell..
In more words to come..Sabi Boi
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