Famous Ukrainian journalist and commentator Ihor Tsyganik has made a prediction for Shakhtar's Europa League last-16 match against Rennes.
"I really don't like it when our teams' rivals in the European Cups lose their matches in the domestic leagues before the head-to-head. "Rennes lost away to Toulouse at the weekend (1-3), and before that they lost to Lille (1-3).
This could make the French even more angry and set them up for the match against Shakhtar. Of course, Rennes is a very good and well-coordinated team. They proved it against Dynamo Kyiv, not allowing Mircea Lucescu's men to create anything special in both matches in the Europa League group stage.
"Shakhtar were seriously preparing for this two-match clash with Rennes. "The Pitmen played five friendly matches, tried new schemes of play without Mudryk, who was successfully sold to Chelsea for a substantial sum of money.
I think Shakhtar will play as cautiously as possible in the first leg. Yes, it will be difficult without the aforementioned Mykhailo Mudryk, but I think the Pitmen will be able to get a draw in Warsaw. Let's try for an exact 1-1 scoreline," Tsyganik said.