Barcelona are hoping to make it three wins from three in this season’s Champions League when they host Shakhtar Donetsk at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday evening. Should they do so, Xavi Hernandez’s side would surely have one foot in the knockout stages.
On the other hand, Shakhtar can draw level with Barcelona on six points if they can pick up an unlikely victory. They will hope do so, in what will be new manager Marino Pusic’s first game in charge. The 52-year-old has been appointed by the Ukrainian champions just over 24 hours before they kick off in Catalonia.
🧡 Marino Pusic is Shakhtar's new head coach! ⚒ Welcome! 👏
The contract with the 52-year-old manager lasts until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Find out more: https://t.co/ey4tw9dB02.#Shakhtar #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/JcJT5bnvu3
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) October 24, 2023
Shakhtar sacked their previous managerial team a few weeks ago after an underwhelming start to the new season, and they will hope that Pusic can provide a new manager bounce against Barcelona on Wednesday.
Barcelona will be wary of this, especially with Xavi having a threadbare squad at the moment due to injury problems. They will need to be on their game if they are to continue their 100% record in this season’s Champions League.
