Snubbed by Spain for recent internationals, Juan Mata has reacted by producing arguably the best form of his career for Chelasea, and Shakhtar Donetsk is up next for the playmaker in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Mata has scored six goals and made a string of assists in his last five games for Chelsea, showing he is fully refreshed after being rested at the start of the season following appearances at the European Championship and Olympics.
He’s still being overlooked by world champion Spain but Shakhtar will know Mata is the danger man in the Group E match at the Donbass Arena.
‘I just try to improve with every Chelsea game I play,’ Mata said after scoring twice in Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Tottenham on Saturday, maintaining his team’s four-point lead in the Premier League. ‘I just want to do my best for my team and, at this moment, I am feeling really well.’
Both teams have four points two ahead of Juventus, which will be expecting consecutive wins from its upcoming matches against Danish club FC Nordsjaelland.
Juventus’ 2-2 draw with Chelsea on matchday one should leave the group well poised through to the final round of games, with little to split the top three. Chelsea has started the season better than many would have expected, quickly finding its stride as the European champions look to add more creativity to their renowned strength in defense.
Shakhtar, which is 12 points clear at the top of the Ukraine league, drew 1-1 away to Juventus in their last Champions League match having opened with a 2-0 win over Nordsjaelland.
Defeat for Chelsea, coupled with victory for Juventus against Nordsjaelland, would leave Di Matteo’s side in third place at the halfway point of the group.
Di Matteo expects his side to play without fear at Donetsk’s Donbass Arena, and says that players like Mata and summer signings Eden Hazard and Oscar do not know how to play any other way.
‘Ultimately we want to win games. We want to win in the way we think we can win games with the players we have. We don’t go out and just say, ‘Let’s play good football and lose.’ said the Italian.
John Terry is expected to lead Chelsea out as captain in Donetsk, despite his four-game domestic ban.
Meanwhile, Barcelona host Celtic as the hosts aim to win their third match in this campaign on the trot. Same goes for Manchester United who play Braga at Old Trafford.
United will rest duo Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand. Ashley Young is likely to feature after coming back from injury as Kagawa too looks for game time.
Mata has scored six goals and made a string of assists in his last five games for Chelsea, showing he is fully refreshed after being rested at the start of the season following appearances at the European Championship and Olympics.
He’s still being overlooked by world champion Spain but Shakhtar will know Mata is the danger man in the Group E match at the Donbass Arena.
‘I just try to improve with every Chelsea game I play,’ Mata said after scoring twice in Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Tottenham on Saturday, maintaining his team’s four-point lead in the Premier League. ‘I just want to do my best for my team and, at this moment, I am feeling really well.’
Both teams have four points two ahead of Juventus, which will be expecting consecutive wins from its upcoming matches against Danish club FC Nordsjaelland.
Juventus’ 2-2 draw with Chelsea on matchday one should leave the group well poised through to the final round of games, with little to split the top three. Chelsea has started the season better than many would have expected, quickly finding its stride as the European champions look to add more creativity to their renowned strength in defense.
Shakhtar, which is 12 points clear at the top of the Ukraine league, drew 1-1 away to Juventus in their last Champions League match having opened with a 2-0 win over Nordsjaelland.
Defeat for Chelsea, coupled with victory for Juventus against Nordsjaelland, would leave Di Matteo’s side in third place at the halfway point of the group.
Di Matteo expects his side to play without fear at Donetsk’s Donbass Arena, and says that players like Mata and summer signings Eden Hazard and Oscar do not know how to play any other way.
‘Ultimately we want to win games. We want to win in the way we think we can win games with the players we have. We don’t go out and just say, ‘Let’s play good football and lose.’ said the Italian.
John Terry is expected to lead Chelsea out as captain in Donetsk, despite his four-game domestic ban.
Meanwhile, Barcelona host Celtic as the hosts aim to win their third match in this campaign on the trot. Same goes for Manchester United who play Braga at Old Trafford.
United will rest duo Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand. Ashley Young is likely to feature after coming back from injury as Kagawa too looks for game time.