APOEL can wrap up their historic Champions League group stage campaign by beating Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night to finish top of Group G, avoiding the prospect of facing the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the last 16.
With a place in the knockout phase of the competition already guaranteed following a 0-0 draw against Zenit in their previous European outing, victory against a Shakhtar side with nothing to play for in the group’s final game would ensure that APOEL remain unbeaten at the top, capping off a remarkable campaign.
A draw in the group’s other game between Porto and Zenit St Petersburg at the Dragao will also see APOEL keep top spot whatever their result against Shakhtar. However the Cyprus champions are keen to make it three wins out of three at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, which will undoubtedly be overcome by a party atmosphere tonight.
“This is a game where something exceptional has already happened,” APOEL midfielder Nektarios Alexandrou said. “The fact that we have already qualified for the next phase is something unique, however we are called upon to put in the same amount of effort to what we have already given in our other matches and stay in first place in the group.
“This would be something that we will remember for years to come and I think it will prepare us well for the knockout stages,” Alexandrou added.
In the euphoria that surrounded the aftermath of the game against Zenit two weeks ago, full back Athos Solomou told gazzetta.gr that “everyone wants to face Barcelona, Real or Milan.”
As APOEL have already exceeded expectations by qualifying, a potential glamour draw against any of the continent’s most illustrious teams would certainly not be viewed in a negative light at this stage. Topping the group however would mean the chance of an easier draw in theory and also playing the second leg at home.
Winless Shakhtar have disappointed with their performances in the competition so far and will finish bottom of the group whatever the result tonight, but the Ukrainians will want to salvage some pride in Nicosia and have managed at least one victory in each of their previous six Champions League group stage campaigns.
William Boaventura is on the long-term absentee list for APOEL, while Brazilian striker Ailton Almeida will not be risked.
The participation of Helio Pinto is in doubt after he picked up a knock during APOEL’s 2-0 home win over Anagennisi on Friday night, however coach Ivan Jovanovic does not want to disrupt the Portuguese central midfield pairing of Pinto and Nuno Morais, who have been instrumental to the way APOEL play, and is prepared to wait until the last moment before making a decision.
Cyprus Mail
