Shakhtar Donetsk defender Valeriy Bondar says they’ve blown Celtic’s Champions League group wide open.
The Ukrainians stunned Europe by beating RB Leipzig 4-1 in Germany while the Hoops lost 3-0 to Real Madrid at Parkhead. Bondar expects the Spanish giants to top the section. But he believes if Igor Jovicevic’s side can see off Celtic in Warsaw on Wednesday night they will be in pole to qualify in second place.
Ange Postecoglou ’s men hope to collect their first points in Group F against Shakhtar but, after their win over Leipzig, Bondar insists his side’s confidence is sky high. He said: “Our victory in the first match is a blow to the table. Our club wants to go far in the Champions League so every match is a final for us. That’s a warning to the other clubs in the group. “To beat us this season will be very difficult for any team. We put in so much effort and fight in every match. That was the key to beating Leipzig.
“There aren’t any superstars in this Shakhtar team but every player is giving 100 per cent. We have to follow it up by getting another three points against Celtic. I would take a 1-0 victory. If we win on Wednesday we can be calm in our next two matches against Madrid.
"There won’t be so much pressure. It’s normal that Real Madrid are favourites for the first position but this Shakhtar v Celtic match will be very important for second place.”
Bondar expects to see a different Celtic to the one that lost on match day one. He was impressed by their midfield against the holders and admits they’ll have to stop Postecoglou’s side from playing their brand of football.
But the 23-year-old says the Russian invasion of their country – which has forced them to play games in Poland – has given them resilience and determination to succeed.
Bondar said: “We’re convinced that Wednesday will be a different match and the Scots will show another side to them. But to play our games in another country because of the war in Ukraine is very emotive for us. That’s our motivation to do well in the Champions League.”
