Shakhtar Donetsk take on the visitors Bayern Munich in the round 6 match of UEFA Champions League group stage. The match will be played on Tuesday, December 10th at Veltins Arena (Gelsenkirchen).
Shakhtar, perennial champions of Ukraine, had another domestic double last season, winning both the Ukrainian Premier League and the Cup. However, their European campaign was underwhelming. After finishing 3rd in their Champions League group, they exited the Europa League early, falling to Marseille. This season, the team has struggled to maintain its usual dominance. Domestically, they trail Dynamo Kyiv and even Oleksandriya. In the Champions League, their performances have been mixed. While they secured a win against Young Boys and a draw with Bologna, their matches against stronger sides exposed vulnerabilities. A 0-3 loss to Atalanta highlighted their limitations, while an own goal handed them a narrow defeat to Arsenal. The collapse against PSV, where they squandered a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3, was particularly demoralizing. Shakhtar’s inconsistency, especially in high-pressure matches, contrasts sharply with Bayern’s recent form against elite teams.
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Bayern Munich endured a rare trophyless season last year, prompting a managerial shake-up. The appointment of Vincent Kompany, despite his limited experience, raised eyebrows. However, his side has gradually found its footing, leading the Bundesliga by late autumn. In the Champions League, Bayern started with a thumping 9-2 aggregate win over Dinamo Zagreb but faced setbacks against tougher opponents. They were edged out by Aston Villa in Birmingham and suffered a humbling 0-3 defeat to Barcelona, now managed by former Bayern boss Hansi Flick. However, the Bavarians have shown resilience, earning narrow 1-0 victories against Benfica and PSG in subsequent games. Despite challenges, Bayern remains a formidable force, even without star striker Harry Kane for this matchup. Bayern has proven they can adapt and grind out wins even in challenging circumstances.
The last meeting between these sides was in the 2015 Champions League Round of 16. After a 0-0 draw in Ukraine, Bayern dismantled Shakhtar 7-0 in Munich, showcasing their superiority. Shakhtar is likely to sit deep and defend, hoping to capitalize on counterattacks, but Bayern’s pressing and technical superiority should limit their opportunities. Given the form and quality gap, Bayern Munich is expected to dominate this match comprehensively, leaving little room for an upset.
Prediction for the match: Bayern to win with -2.0 handicap.
