Shakhtar Donetsk Unveils New Manager Only a Day Before Clash with Barcelona
Barcelona Aims for Third Consecutive Champions League Win Against Shakhtar Donetsk
Barcelona is eyeing a perfect record in this season’s Champions League, seeking a third consecutive win as they prepare to host Shakhtar Donetsk at the Olympic Stadium. With a victory, Xavi Hernandez’s team would be in a strong position to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
In contrast, Shakhtar aims to level the playing field, potentially amassing six points by securing an unexpected victory. What makes this match even more intriguing is the debut of their new manager, Marino Pusic. The 52-year-old was appointed just over 24 hours before their clash in Catalonia.
Shakhtar made the managerial change after a lackluster start to the new season, parting ways with their previous coaching staff. The hope is that Pusic will inject new energy into the team and initiate a “new manager bounce” effect when they face Barcelona on Wednesday.
However, Barcelona is well aware of the potential threat, particularly since Xavi’s squad is currently dealing with several injuries. To maintain their unblemished record in this season’s Champions League, the Catalan giants must be at their best.
