Valeriy Bondar believes Shakhtar Donetsk’s opening 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League Group stage will greatly impact Celtic’s Champions League ambitions. The Ukrainian defender is full of confidence, especially after he helped his side defeat FC Chornomorets Odesa 2-1 in their league match on Saturday.
The Shakhtar defender believes the early demolition of RB Leipzig will greatly impact the group and damage Celtic’s Champions League hopes, as Shakhtar are so determined to get through to the knock-out stages. This determination was perfectly illustrated after Shakhtar’s victory on Saturday where Shakhtar Donetsk fell behind in the match before Marian Shved equalised ahead of a dramatic last gasp winner secured the points (check out the two Shakhtar goals below).
⚽️ Marian Shved’s third goal for Shakhtar! 🧡#ShakhtarChornomorets #Shakhtar pic.twitter.com/Pn7SkLF8tZ
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) September 11, 2022
👀 First Oleh Ocheretko’s goal for Shakhtar or Lassina Traore’s skills? 😅
Who scored the winning goal? 🤔#ShakhtarChornomorets #Shakhtar pic.twitter.com/haLU6Ue7FQ
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) September 11, 2022
“That’s a warning to the other clubs in the group. To beat us this season will be very difficult for any team. We put in so much effort and fight in every match. That was the key to beating Leipzig,” Bondar said, as reported by Football Scotland.
“There aren’t any superstars in this Shakhtar team but every player is giving 100 per cent. We have to follow it up by getting another three points against Celtic. I would take a 1-0 victory. If we win on Wednesday we can be calm in our next two matches against Madrid.”
“There won’t be so much pressure. It’s normal that Real Madrid are favourites for the first position but this Shakhtar v Celtic match will be very important for second place.”
Celtic will be heading to Warsaw for the second game of the Group F. The Hoops have been on great form this season and will be ready for the game. However, according to Bondar, Shakhtar Donetsk will be ready for us.
And Ange Postecoglou will of course make sure that Celtic are ready for Shakhtar. It’s going to be some game and one that the winners will really fancy their chances of progressing.
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