Shakhtar Donetsk coach Paulo Fonseca is preparing for one of his toughest challenges as Manchester City visit in the Champions League.
The Ukrainian champions need to deny City victory at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv on Wednesday to guarantee themselves a place in the last 16.
Fonseca recognises that could be a tall order, with Pep Guardiola’s side having won their last 20 matches in all competitions and earning lavish praise for a lot of their play.
Paulo Fonseca lavished praise on Manchester City ahead of Wednesday’s group stage clash
Fonseca, who led Shakhtar to a domestic double last season, said: ‘If we look at City’s performances this season, I think we can call them, if not the best, then definitely one of the best teams in the world right now.
‘I have had similar deciders in my career but this is the first time I have had such a game in the Champions League.’
Shakhtar, second in Group F, are trying protect a three-point lead over Napoli.
Fonseca said Shakhtar Donetsk’s opponents City are ‘one of the world’s best teams right now’
Defeat to group winners City would open the door for the Italians, who beat Shakhtar 3-0 last month and will be expected to see off Feyenoord in their last game.
Fonseca said: ‘We are not going to follow the game in Rotterdam. We will be doing our job here and if we do it well, if we play our best football, that match will not matter.
‘We know Napoli will do their best to get the necessary result at Feyenoord.’
Fonseca, who has previously coached Porto and led Braga to cup success in his native Portugal, was linked with Everton before the Merseyside club appointed Sam Allardyce recently.
Fonseca dismissed talk of Everton’s interest saying: ‘My head and my heart are with Shakhtar’
The likes of Taison (right) will be hoping to impress Brazil boss Tite on Wednesday evening
Asked about the speculation, the 46-year-old said at his pre-match press conference: ‘My head and my heart are with Shakhtar.’
Fonseca confirmed that Brazil coach Tite will attend Wednesday’s game. Fonseca’s squad contains seven Brazilians while City boast the likes of Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho and Danilo in their ranks.
Fonseca said: ‘We are very pleased he will come to Kharkiv to watch this game. I think he’ll be watching not only our players but City’s as well.
‘If such a person watches you from the stands it can be extra motivation and I hope this will be the case with our Brazilians.’
