Lucescu getting Shakhtar into shape
Wednesday, 16 February 2005
Mircea Lucescu is leaving nothing to chance as FC Shakhtar Donetsk meet an FC
Schalke 04 team without two key Brazilians.

  

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu


Cold conditions
Shakhtar coach Lucuescu leads his side in their first competitive game of
2005 after warm-weather camps in Spain and Turkey. However, with cold
conditions forecast in Donetsk tonight, the Romanian has been concentrating
on acclimatisation this week.

'Ready to play'
"We came to Donetsk specifically to have four or five days here before the
match," said the coach, who has already inspected the pitch at the
Olimpiyskiy stadium. "The team is working hard with great enthusiasm, despite
unfavourable weather conditions. All the players are ready to play against
Schalke."

Schalke danger
Lucescu, who is unlikely to select any of newly signed Brazilian trio Elano
Blumer, Iván Saraiva and Jadson Rodriguez, is wary of a team joint-top of
the Bundesliga. "We have analysed Schalke's game with the team for two days,"
he said. "Their style is Italian. They are dangerous on the ball, quick and
know how to dictate the rhythm of the match. It will be important not to
concede goals and to score in Donetsk."

Lincoln out
The home coach identified Lincoln as a danger, so may be relieved to hear
that the Brazilian playmaker has stayed in Germany due to muscular problems
along with compatriot Marcelo Bordon, who has a hamstring injury.Schalke
coach Ralf Rangnick said: "I decided to let Lincoln stay at home because I do
not want to risk a more serious injury."

Kristajic question
Bordon could be replaced by Mladen Kristajic as he has recovered from a
respiratory illness. Rangnick said: "We will have to see if he is ready to
start. Although I am not going to play him unless he is completely fit."

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