Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Bayern Munich: Shakhtar Donetsk the 'great unknown' in UCL last-16

Bayern Munich were happy to accept their status as favourites for their Champions League last-16 tie against Shakhtar Donetsk following Monday's draw.

Bayern will play the Ukrainian side for the first time ever in European competition, who will play their first competitive match of 2015 against the 2013 winners.

"Shakhtar Donetsk are a good draw, and we are certainly favourites. But we will have the greatest respect," Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the official club website. "Shakhthar have played a well during the group stages, and it will be a new experience for us."

Because of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, Donetsk will play the first leg of the tie in the western city of Lviv on Feb. 17.

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer called Donetsk the "great unknown team for us," but warned that "in Luiz Adriano they have the Champions League top scorer."

Brazilian forward Luiz Adriano has scored nine goals this season -- six of which coming via hat tricks in consecutive matches -- and is one ahead of Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts.

"Donetsk are a dangerous opponent, but nevertheless we have to reach the next round. The minimum goal for FC Bayern has to be the quarterfinals," club captain Philipp Lahm, who could miss the first leg at least after suffering an ankle fracture in November, said.

"I have never played against this team," keeper Manuel Neuer added. "But at least I have played at Lviv once, when we beat Portugal with Germany during the 2012 European Championships. I think that's a good omen. I am pretty confident we can reach the quarterfinals."

In-form winger Arjen Robben was delighted that Bayern avoided a possible third consecutive round last 16 meeting with Arsenal.

"I think it's great, something different finally and not Arsenal again," he said. "[Shakhtar] have a few Brazilian players, and they are really good. We will analyse the opponent, and we'll somehow manage it."

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