On their brief adventure into the Ukranian crisis area, Bayern München are tasked with an extraordinary balancing act. Despite the sporting significance for the German champions, many of the player’s thoughts ahead of the game are on the tragic events taking place in Ukraine.
We are “very concerned” about the situation, said manager Pep Guardiola ahead of the Champions League last sixteen first leg on Tuesday (20.45 CET, live on Sky). The game against Shakhtar Donetsk in Lviv is going ahead despite all the ongoing troubles and unrest. "We are footballers but first and foremost we are humans. What’s happening is heart-rending,” added Arjen Robben with a serious expression prior to the team’s departure on Monday afternoon.
"Difficult to understand"
"It is difficult to understand and a strange experience to play against a team which is located in a war zone,” said Thomas Müller. He also spoke of a having a “peculiar feeling” ahead of the game. Robben confirmed that it’s impossible to shut out everything that’s going on there.
The fact that a ceasefire was agreed and has been in place since Saturday evening makes “us feel a bit more relaxed,” said Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Nevertheless, Bayern, who want to provide humanitarian aid, are not going to stay in Lviv any longer than strictly necessary. They are going to return to Munich straight after the game with their arrival planned for 2.30 CET. The current Bundesliga leaders can do without the traditional midnight banquet. The trip will take about 35 hours.
Donetsk games moved to Lviv
In order to be able to keep playing games in Ukraine, Shakhtar have staged all their home fixtures in the western city of Lviv. The location is 1000 kilometres away from the embattled East and the missiles, fear and death. "The safety of all participants is assured,” said a UEFA spokeswoman to the SID.
It’s difficult for Bayern to focus just on the game with everything else that’s occurring and add to that the fact that they are favourites to win following the impressive 8-0 victory over Hamburg last Saturday. However, they didn’t want to hear any of the reports about it being a supposedly easy draw. They are “very dangerous,” said Robben. “It’s not going to be a walk in the park.”
It is still not clear whether Xabi Alonso (thigh injury) will be able to play. Jerome Boateng is eligible, while Franck Ribéry and Rafinha both returned from injury against HSV.
It is the first match between the two clubs although Guardiola has already had experience of playing Shakhtar when he was managing Barcelona. He only lost once in four meetings but warned: “Mircea Luescu is one of the best managers in Europe. They have lots of good Brazilians, talented young players and always play attacking football.”
It’s not without reason that Brazil international Luiz Adriano is the current leading goal scorer in the Champions League having hit the back of the net nine times. He remains optimistic despite the circumstances: “We are ready for Bayern.”
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On their brief adventure into the Ukranian crisis area, Bayern München are tasked with an extraordinary balancing act. Despite the sporting significance for the German champions, many of the player’s thoughts ahead of the game are on the tragic events taking place in Ukraine.
We are “very concerned” about the situation, said manager Pep Guardiola ahead of the Champions League last sixteen first leg on Tuesday (20.45 CET, live on Sky). The game against Shakhtar Donetsk in Lviv is going ahead despite all the ongoing troubles and unrest. "We are footballers but first and foremost we are humans. What’s happening is heart-rending,” added Arjen Robben with a serious expression prior to the team’s departure on Monday afternoon.
"Difficult to understand"
"It is difficult to understand and a strange experience to play against a team which is located in a war zone,” said Thomas Müller. He also spoke of a having a “peculiar feeling” ahead of the game. Robben confirmed that it’s impossible to shut out everything that’s going on there.
The fact that a ceasefire was agreed and has been in place since Saturday evening makes “us feel a bit more relaxed,” said Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Nevertheless, Bayern, who want to provide humanitarian aid, are not going to stay in Lviv any longer than strictly necessary. They are going to return to Munich straight after the game with their arrival planned for 2.30 CET. The current Bundesliga leaders can do without the traditional midnight banquet. The trip will take about 35 hours.
Donetsk games moved to Lviv
In order to be able to keep playing games in Ukraine, Shakhtar have staged all their home fixtures in the western city of Lviv. The location is 1000 kilometres away from the embattled East and the missiles, fear and death. "The safety of all participants is assured,” said a UEFA spokeswoman to the SID.
It’s difficult for Bayern to focus just on the game with everything else that’s occurring and add to that the fact that they are favourites to win following the impressive 8-0 victory over Hamburg last Saturday. However, they didn’t want to hear any of the reports about it being a supposedly easy draw. They are “very dangerous,” said Robben. “It’s not going to be a walk in the park.”
It is still not clear whether Xabi Alonso (thigh injury) will be able to play. Jerome Boateng is eligible, while Franck Ribéry and Rafinha both returned from injury against HSV.
It is the first match between the two clubs although Guardiola has already had experience of playing Shakhtar when he was managing Barcelona. He only lost once in four meetings but warned: “Mircea Luescu is one of the best managers in Europe. They have lots of good Brazilians, talented young players and always play attacking football.”
It’s not without reason that Brazil international Luiz Adriano is the current leading goal scorer in the Champions League having hit the back of the net nine times. He remains optimistic despite the circumstances: “We are ready for Bayern.”
