Barca vows to finish job against Shakhtar

Ukraine's reigning champion Shakhtar Donetsk, already with a mountain to climb, comes into its Champions League return with Spanish giant Barcelona on the back of a home league loss whereas its rival continues to lord it in La Liga.

Barca's weekend success over Almeria ensured that its stylish 5-1 first-leg home thumping of Donetsk did not distract it from the additional task of keeping Real Madrid at arm's length.

Should Barca now complete the job it will earn another opportunity in the semifinals to rub Real's noses in the Catalan club's apparent superiority - motivation in itself to take the return leg ultra seriously.