Capello: Roma can't afford to give 'deadly' Shakhtar space to attack

The two sides are due to meet at Kharkiv’s Metalist Stadium on Wednesday 21 February, with the return leg in Rome scheduled for Tuesday 13 March.

Both sides will fancy their chances of progressing from what appears to be an evenly-matched tie – and Capello, who won the Scudetto with Roma in 2001, believes Shakhtar are stronger than some have given them credit for.

“Shakhtar have been regulars in European competition for a long time now,” Capello said. “They have history, tradition and familiarity with the Champions League. And these are the sort of things that matter, even if no-one ever tends to consider them.

“They are currently in the winter break in their season and so they are like our teams during the summer pre-season. Nevertheless, despite all that, they have impressed me.”

Capello believes the Giallorossi must not allow their opponents time or space to play to their strengths if they want to succeed.

“Shakhtar are tough side, they don’t give away anything,” he added. “And then they also have good technical quality; with the ball at their feet they always know what they want to do.

“They are an organised side, Roma will do well not to commit the error of under-estimating them. You cannot leave them space, otherwise they will punish you. They are deadly on the counter, they have the speed and quality to get in on goal in two or three moves. If Roma give their opponents to much space, it will make things much more difficult.

“But if Roma can rediscover their balance then that will improve their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

The ex-England boss singled out the likes of Taison, Bernard and Marlos as the most dangerous players for Paulo Fonseca’s team.

“The side’s technical quality comes primarily from the group of Brazilians they have,” Capello added. “That has been the case since the time when [Mircea] Lucescu was the coach – they have a tradition of finding young Brazilians, buying them, helping them improve and then selling them for huge sums.”