Shakhtar Donetsk has parted ways with their manager, Patrick van Leeuwen, a little over a week before their crucial encounter with Barcelona in the Champions League. Van Leeuwen’s departure has paved the way for former Croatia defender, Darijo Srna, to step in as the interim head coach.

Shakhtar is gearing up to face Barcelona in two back-to-back matches, with the first clash scheduled for next Wednesday at Montjuic and the second in Hamburg on 7 November as part of the group stages. Follow your favourite football team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

The Ukrainian side has experienced a mixed start in the tournament, securing three points from their first two games. They managed to triumph over Antwerp with a 3-2 scoreline but faced a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Porto.

In contrast, Barcelona has had a promising start to the competition, amassing six points from two matches. The prospect of two more wins over Shakhtar could secure their qualification for the knockout stages.

Shakhtar’s performance in domestic competitions has been more consistent. They currently sit in the third position on the table, just two points behind the league leaders with a game in hand.

The surprising aspect of this managerial change is that Patrick van Leeuwen was appointed in July, signing a two-year contract with the club. However, his tenure has abruptly come to an end after just 12 games in charge.

The sudden shift in leadership adds an element of uncertainty to Shakhtar’s upcoming Champions League fixtures against Barcelona. It remains to be seen how the team under Darijo Srna’s guidance will perform in these crucial encounters, which could shape their journey in the tournament. Ger the latest updates from the world of football only on Nextbet Sports.