Lucescu makes bold final prediction

FC Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu believes the winner of his team's UEFA Cup quarter-final against Olympique de Marseille will go on to reach the final in Istanbul next month.

'Good shape'
Lucescu described the French club as Shakhtar's strongest possible opponents after the draw and he has not altered his stance since, with OM going from strength to strength in Ligue 1. "Marseille are very good but we can also produce good results, especially at home," he said. "They have a great European history and play good football. They are in very good shape and playing with a lot of enthusiasm. One of these strong teams will be in the final."

'Experienced players'
However, while were Marseille 3-0 victors at AS Saint-Etienne on Sunday, Shakhtar's nine-game winning run in the league was ended by FC Metalurh Zaporizhya, their first league loss since August. "These things happen when the players come back from their national teams," said Lucescu, who is without Igor Duljaj (hamstring) and Luiz Adriano. "We have many experienced players, but, unfortunately, they are unable to switch between playing international games and domestic matches."

'Confident'
Shakhtar's European home form has certainly given the Romanian cause for optimism, though, with the Pitmen registering nine goals without reply in their last three UEFA matches at the RSC Olympiyskiy Stadium. "We are very confident at home after the last three European matches." Lucescu will be pitting his wits against an old acquaintance when the tie kicks off. The 63-year-old has encountered opposite number Erik Gerets before, when his Galatasaray AŞ team met the Belgian's PSV Eindhoven outfit in the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League, and in a Brazil v Rest of the World match in 1989, for which Lucescu was coach and Gerets a player. "I remember that match very well. After the encounter a crowd of people, including Gerets, sat until six in the morning discussing football and that is when I realised he is a big person."

Lasting friendship
Such encounters have led to a mutual appreciation between the pair. "I have known him for a long time. I like him because of his character, style of work, discipline and tactics," said Gerets, before countering Lucescu's assertion that the winner of the tie will reach the final. "I would like to be more careful. The winner will meet serious opposition in the semi-finals."Should Marseille progress, Gerets would be in a UEFA Cup semi-final for the first time although he must do without defender Tyrone Mears – scorer of the decisive extra-time goal against AFC Ajax in the last round – because of a groin injury. Boudewijn Zenden is a doubt with a calf problem.