Nothing much to write about the lineup today. The depth we have in defense with an in form Christiensen is a blessing really. Allows xavi to rotate kounde and araujo because heavens know we need these two to stay fit and firing.

I am not even going to say anything about Marcos Alonso starting. That left wing will be non existent 100 percent guaranteed and we will have no attacks down that wing as long as he is on the field.

Oriol Romeu gets his start again after a few games on the bench. I am still not convinced he is a big champions league level player. Let's see if he proves me wrong tonight. Gundogan and Gavi are no brainers. And we might see Pedri come at some later time if we are struggling with creativity.

Ferran Torres, Lewandowski and Raphinha all start. All big guns, but none firing recently. It will be interesting to see how they dynamics work between 3 misfiring forwards. But I am pretty sure we will need Lamine Yamal and Felix to come on later. Maybe Marc Guiu too..?

Start!

Barca have enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening 5 minutes. But it's shaktar donetsk with the first real break of sorts, but Araujo was there to clean up well!

And Shaktar gets another opening, this time Joao Cancelo showed strength to stop the attack.

A lot of to and fro, no real threat from either side.

And just as I wrote that, Shaktar has the biggest chance of the game so far. Ter stegen pulls out the save!

This is not a boring game by any means, both teams playing really well. Just not enough clear chances being created. Barca are just starting to get a shift in momentum their way.

I am not sure how i feel about this first half as a barca fan. There have been glimpses of "potential" brilliance, but nothing concrete, not final product either. There have been a lot of "almosts" and no real bite from Barca. For all the possession they have had, it was Shaktar with the one real chance in the game.

And Shaktar make the second one count! They lead via a beautifully crafted team goal.

Can't say it was undeserved. Well played Shaktar, very well played indeed! And they have something to hold on to here. We have seen how bad barca are against low blocks, and we can expect one heavy low block in the second half.

Half Time, Shaktar 1-0 Barca.

Oriol Romeu - not a champions league level player.
Marcos Alonso - he is impersonating a footballer. As I said, our left wing was non existent. And the goal shaktar scored was from an open unchallenged cross from where Alonso should have been defending. This guys does not defend, he contributes nothing in attack. What exactly does he play football for?

No changes for either team at the half time.

Barca have started the second half brightly and are playing with more conviction now.

Raphinha and Lewa has been very rusty. Not putting much blame on Ferran Torres because his side is essentially shut down by the incompetent Marcos Alonso. This guy is an abomination to football.

Barca playing well in moments, but again lacking the final bite. As expected, Shaktar playing a real heavy low block and Barca are finding it very difficult to break.

Shaktar attack on the counter and Barca throw men forward looking for an equaliser. Ter Stegen up to the task.

Shaktar enjoying a good spell of play here.

4 Barca changes lined up. Joao Felix, Lamine Yamal, Pedri (all three I predicted before even the start of the game) and Balde comes on. Ferran Torren, Raphinha, Oriol Romeu and Thankfully MArcos Alonso comes off.

And already the change in play looks obvious. Barca almost get their goal. Felix could not connect with Yamal's cross.

Barca has heavily controlled possession here, but it all counts to nothing as they have been toothless in the final third. That final pass, that finishing touch has all been missing. Very haphazard.

And have Shaktar found their second goal? No they haven't. It's offside.

Full Time, 1-0 to Shaktar!