The last UEFA Cup final will be a clash of German brawn and Ukrainian technique, Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu said ahead of their clash with Werder Bremen in Istanbul on Wednesday. From next season UEFA's second-tier competition becomes the Europa League.
Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine will meet Germany's Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup final in Istanbul on May 20. Brazilian Ilsinho grabbed a superb late winner to put Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Dynamo Kiev, while Werder went through on the away goals rule after a 3-2 win at Hamburg SV gave them a 3-3 draw on aggregate.
Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu admitted he went against UEFA's wishes in fielding midfielder Fred in Tuesday's Champions League qualifier despite being aware of a possible doping violation hanging over the Brazilian international.
Bayern Munich go into their Champions League last-16 second leg at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday knowing the game will make or break their season.
World Cup hosts Russia got their Nations League campaign off to a flying start with a 2-1 win away to Turkey thanks to goals from Dennis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 750th goal of his remarkable career in a 3-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday
Thiago Silva's extra-time header sent Paris St Germain into the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals.
Ruthless Bayern Munich scored five goals in the first 35 minutes on the way to a 7-1 demolition of AS Roma on Tuesday which bore an uncanny resemblance to Germany's win over Brazil by the same score in the World Cup semi-final.
Photos from the Champions League matches played across Europe on Tuesday.
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