While the football world will largely be watching the Champions League match between Arsenal and Barcelona unfold, there is another match taking place in this competition on Wednesday night which is equally as intriguing.

Indeed, Shakhtar Donetsk finished above the Gunners in Group H and the Ukrainian champions will be looking to attack their Italian opponents in search of a precious away goal or two.

Mircea Lucescu is generally regarded to be doing an excellent job at the Donbass Arena and this is a far more formidable team to the one that was knocked out of the Europa League by Fulham last season.

Speaking to UEFA, Lucescu said: “The difference in class between football in eastern and western Europe is narrowing. Many talented players have come to the east. The UEFA Cup wins by Galatasaray, CSKA Moskva, Zenit and Shakhtar mean these countries have greater hope for Champions League success”.

Roma are managed by Claudio Ranieri, with the Italian having steered Chelsea to within an inch of the Champions League final seven seasons ago.

The Wolves are a formidable opponent at the Stadio Olimpico and the manager is confident they can establish a first leg advantage.

“This is a difficult season,” Ranieri said. “But we have to think of tomorrow’s game and make amends for our defeat at the weekend.

“Shakhtar are a great team and those that thought that this was a good draw for us will no doubt reconsider.”

Match odds:

Roma, 23/20 with Victor Chandler

Draw, 12/5 with Boylesports

Shakhtar Donetsk, 3/1 with Paddy Power