Džeko strike edges Roma past Shakhtar Donetsk

Džeko strike edges Roma past Shakhtar Donetsk

A composed 52nd-minute finish from Edin Džeko was enough to claim victory for Roma at home to Shakhtar Donetsk and send the Italian side through after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate. Chances were at a premium in the opening 45 minutes despite plenty of attacking intent from both sides, with Facundo Ferreyra slicing wide the clearest opening after dispossessing Roma's Federico Fazio.The decisive moment came early in the second half when Kevin Strootman's through ball caught the Shakhtar defence high up the pitch and Džeko burst through before calmly sliding his finish through the legs of Andriy Pyatov.The visitors'

Sevilla v Shakhtar Donetsk background

A third successive UEFA Europa League final is seemingly within Sevilla FC's reach as they welcome FC Shakhtar Donetsk in their semi-final decider.Previous meetings• Kevin Gameiro's penalty earned Sevilla a 2-2 draw in Lviv; the holders took an early lead but trailed 2-1 at the break.• Juande Ramos's Sevilla overcame Shakhtar in dramatic fashion in the round of 16 en route to lifting the 2006/07 UEFA Cup. After a 2-2 draw in Spain, Sevilla goalkeeper Andrés Palop scored at the death to make it 2-2 in the return leg, Ernesto Chevantón eventually winning it for the visitors in extra time.

Snap shot: Sevilla’s salvation in Donetsk

Coach Mircea Lucescu says he has revenge in mind as Shakhtar prepare to face Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals – the conclusion to their sensational round of 16 tie in 2006/07 took some getting over.The Spanish side were heading out of the competition deep into added time in Donetsk when they won a corner. Dani Alves delivered it and, peeling off his marker like a striker, goalkeeper Andrés Palop headed in a stunning equaliser to force extra time. Ernesto Chevantón then completed the comeback and Juande Ramos's team went on to lift the trophy.

Shakhtar Donetsk v Sevilla background

FC Shakhtar Donetsk will look to erase the memory of a fateful defeat from 2007 as they welcome holders Sevilla FC, the Pitmen unbeaten in six UEFA Europa League games.Previous meetings• Juande Ramos's Sevilla overcame Shakhtar in dramatic fashion in the round of 16 en route to winning the 2006/07 UEFA Cup. After a 2-2 draw in Spain, Sevilla goalkeeper Andrés Palop scored at the death to make it 2-2 in the return leg, Ernesto Chevantón winning it for the visitors in extra time.• The teams for that game in Donetsk on 16 March 2007 were: Shakhtar: Shust, Lewandowski, Chygrynskiy, Kucher*, Shevchuk* (Raţ 44), Gai, Matuzalém (D...

Shakhtar Donetsk v Schalke background

FC Shakhtar Donetsk will hope for a repeat performance after being paired with FC Schalke 04 for a second time in the UEFA Europa League round of 32.Previous meetings• Mircea Lucescu's Shakhtar eliminated a Schalke side coached by Ralf Rangnick in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup round of 32, winning 1-0 in Gelsenkirchen after drawing 1-1 in Donetsk. Those are Schalke's only encounters with Ukrainian opponents.• Shakhtar's 16 games against German teams have ended W5 D5 L6 (W2 D4 L1 at home – W2 D1 L5 in Germany). Most famously, they beat Werder Bremen 2-1 in the final of the 2009 UEFA Cup in Istanbul.• Shakhtar's last four home matches against German...