MARLOS LEADING THE CHARGE FOR SHAKHTAR

KIEV: Ukraine’s Brazilian-born sensation Marlos has starred for Shakhtar Donetsk on a Champions League run that could see them reach the quarterfinals for only the second time when they go to Roma on Tuesday.

But the 29-year-old attacking midfielder’s silky dribbling is also turning him into an integral part of Ukraine’s hopes of returning to the forefront of the international scene after the country failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

The Ukrainian player of the year for two successive seasons is the engine of a flamboyant Shakhtar side that features an eye-popping eight additional Brazilians and two Argentines.

Shakhtar edged out the Italians 2-1 at home in Kharkiv in the first leg of their last-16 encounter last month, meaning they head to the Stadio Olimpico in the driving seat.

They are also on course to retain their domestic title despite being based in three different cities over the past two years due to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Shakhtar’s Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca has admitted that Marlos is “really important” to his side, describing him as “magical”.

Certainly, having a coach who speaks Portugese helps Marlos and the Brazilians gel into an attacking unit that has flourished in the Champions League. Shakhtar beat Manchester City at home in the group stage and won away at Dutch champions Feyenoord despite finishing that game with 10 men.