Shakhtar vs Roma - Fred to prove why he's attracting interest

Rounding off the first leg meetings in the round of 16 is Shakhtar Donetsk’s welcome of Roma. It’s hardly the most glamourous of ties, but the match up in Ukraine promises to be an entertaining encounter between two evenly matches sides. 

Indeed, the draw has been kind to both sides in their respective pursuit of a quarter-final berth and at this stage, it’s tough to see who progresses. Manchester United fans will be focused on their meeting with Sevilla, but they, along with Manchester City supporters, won’t be averse to casting watchful glances across to Ukraine. 

The Manchester pair have shown an interest in Brazilian midfielder Fred in recent weeks and it’s easy to see why. Only Marlos (7.46) has gained a better WhoScored rating than Fred (7.21) of all Shakhtar players in the Champions League, with the 24-year-old utilising his power and poise to drive his side on. 

Indeed, of the 112 players to attempt 10 or more dribbles in the Champions League this season, Fred has the best success rate (95.2%). Any team needs a driving force in midfield and the Shakhtar man provides that quality in possession to put his side on the front foot. 

2.7 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per European match are both respectable returns for the central midfielder and he’s showing the requisite traits to suggest he’d succeed in the Premier League. The only major shock is that there aren’t more sides interested in Fred. 

His influence in the middle third will be critical to Shakhtar’s progression at Roma’s expense, who have their own midfield talents. Eusebio Di Francesco’s side proved they’re a match for any side on their day as they topped a group that included Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. 

Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman and Radja Nainggolan are three performers capable of shutting out opponents and instigating attacks, with the latter more than capable of punching a hole in an opposition backline on his day. While Nainggolan’s form has dipped compared to recent seasons, the Belgian has a key role to play in Ukraine, in both finding a way past Fred and denying his Brazilian counterpart the opportunity to test the Roma backline. 

Fred, though, has the means to force his way through the Roma midfield, as his aforementioned dribble success rate suggests, and he can be expected to prove against the Italian side just why he’s being closely monitored by the Premier League’s powerhouse pair.