Though they have contrasting recent European pedigrees, FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC København will be on an even footing when they enter the UEFA Champions League round of 16 for the first time.

Shakhtar won the UEFA Cup in 2009 and, despite falling short in last season's inaugural UEFA Europa League, kept Arsenal FC, no less, at bay to finish top of UEFA Champions League Group H this term. FCK were not as emphatic but no less impressive, coming runners-up to FC Barcelona in Group D to book a last-16 tie against Chelsea FC, starting at the Parken Stadion on 22 February.

The Danish champions posted some eye-catching results on home soil during their only previous group stage adventure in 2006/07 and took seven points in front of their enthusiastic faithful this time out. Significantly, though, they have also become more of a force on their travels.

Well-organised and fearless, Ståle Solbakken's side have shown tactical awareness and belief throughout, even when – in vain – they chased an equaliser in the imposing surroundings of Camp Nou. Such spirit paid dividends in the home return, Lionel Messi's opener cancelled out by Claudemir's swift riposte.

The young Brazilian, along with Martin Vingaard, provides an invaluable goal threat from midfield in a team in the strictest sense of the word. The absence of a star name can mean the opposition are unsure where to concentrate their energies, with Senegal striker Dame N'Doye a thorn in the side of all he encounters.

Though it is the diligent work ethic that is the lifeblood of the Danish titleholders, the distribution of William Kvist, the guile of Jesper Grønkjær and probing of Zdeněk Pospěch have all combined to form a lineup which, above all, is tough to beat. Perhaps even for Chelsea.

For Shakhtar, AS Roma lie in wait. No less of a unit, it is Mircea Lucescu's side's technique and control, rather than the raw athleticism of their teams of the past, which has stood out. As with FCK, however, it is a focus on the collective which has reaped rewards.

Big-money signings such as Nery Alberto Castillo, Elano and Cristiano Lucarelli are a thing of the past, with far greater faith now shown in lesser-known names like Luiz Adriano, Douglas Costa and Alex Teixeira. For a man as adept at developing talent as Lucescu, investment in youth was always likely to pay off.

Formerly over-dependent on stellar names including Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Matuzalem or Elano, Lucescu has created a far more flexible squad which has shown itself capable of coping even during the absence of instrumental forward Fernandinho, who broke his leg in early September.

In charge of AC Pisa, Brescia Calcio, Reggiana AC and FC Internazionale Milano during the 1990s, Lucescu is confident his experience of Italian football, allied with his team's group stage promise, will be enough to see off Roma. "I worked in Serie A for eight years, so there are no secrets for me in Italian football," the Romanian coach said. "I think we are on a par with Roma, so if we show our quality we can progress."

Shakhtar and FCK are both well clear in their domestic title races – by 12 and 19 points respectively – and will be able to concentrate fully on their first spring outing in Europe's premier club competition. They will be joined by another newcomer to this phase, Tottenham Hotspur FC, who also caught the eye in the autumn, but whether all three clubs can follow up their early-season form remains to be seen.