Shakhtar Donetsk and Basel will be squaring off in the quarterfinal of Europa League 2019-20.
Team Preview
Shakhtar Donetsk will take on Basel at Arena Auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen to meet either Inter Milan or Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinal. The Ukrainian side booked their spot in the quarter-finals with a 5-1 aggregate win against Wolfsburg. After claiming the 2-1 victory in the first leg, Shakhtar Donetsk continued in the second leg on Wednesday night by winning the game by 3-0. Luis Castro's side hasn’t lost a single game since the resumption. The 2009 UEFA Cup champion, Shakhtar Donetsk are entering into the quarterfinal with the tag of favourites.
Meanwhile, Basel are coming off with a 4-0 aggregate over German Club Eintracht Frankfurt in the round of 16. Following the 3-0 victory in the first leg, the Swiss Club registered 1-0 victory to process in the quarterfinal. Marcel Koller's side has made into the top four back in 2012-13 and the task against the Ukrainian side would be a tough one for the Swiss outfit.
Team News & Lineups
The Ukrainian side will be without the services of Davit Khocholava. Serhii Bolbat could start in the lineup along with Junior Moraes who netted twice against Wolfsburg.
Line-up: Pyatov; Dodo, Kryvtsov, Matviyenko, Bolbat; Antonio, Stepanenko; Marlos, Patrick, Taison; Junior Moraes
Europa League Form: D L W D W W
FC Basel
Basel have some injury issues as the Swiss club will be without the services of Jonas Omlin, Ramires, and Luca Zuffi. Eray Comert is banned from this game due to the booking, he picked up in the previous game. Striker Wolfswinkel is expected to start on the bench once again.
Line-up: Nikolic; Widmer, Van Der Werff, Alderete, Petretta; Xhaka, Frei; Stocker, Campo, Pululu; Cabral
Europa League Form: L W W W W W
Key Players
Shakhtar Donetsk
Junior Moraes (forward): 3 goals
Patrick (midfield): 2 Goals
FC Basel
Fabian Frei (midfield): 5 goals
Kevin Bua (forward): 3 goals