Barcelona vs Shakhtar: times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Champions League

As cautious and unassuming as always, Barcelona coach Xavi recently stated that the team’s prime objective is to make it through the group stage of the current edition of the Champions League. After that, he says, we’ll see what happens. He is only too aware that Barça were dumped out of both of the last two editions before making it to the Round of 16 - any improvement on that this year will be a bonus.

Xavi’s men are well on their way to securing a place in the knockout round. They top Group H on maximum points after wins against competition newcomers Antwerp and Porto. On the domestic front, the Catalans have looked equally as consistent and are now the only side in LaLiga that has yet to suffer a defeat. All of that with the upheaval of having to up sticks move to a temporary new home while Camp Nou undergoes renovation work.

Barça were held by Getafe, Mallorca and Granada which explains why they are third in the table, three points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Any disruption that Barcelona have faced is nothing in comparison with their matchday 3 rivals, Shakhtar. Darijo Srna’s men have been doing their level best to remain competitive under extremely difficult circumstances. They have been involved in the Ukrainian Cup, entering at the Round of 16 where they beat Veres Rivne 0-3 to set up a quarter final clash with Viktoriya Sumy.

This is the club’s 18th appearance in the Champions League - the seventh consecutive time they have played the group stage. Shakhtar will be hoping to make it to the Last 16 for the first time since 2018. As things stand they are third in the group, level on three points with Porto. Like Barça, they too have been displaced and are playing their home games in this tournament at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.

Watch Barcelona vs Shakhtar live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial

When does Barcelona vs Shakhtar kick off?

The Champions League matchday 3 group game between Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk will kick off at 18:45 hours local time at Estadi Olimpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc, Barcelona on Wednesday 25 October 2023:

How to watch Barcelona vs Shakhtar in the United States

The following TV channels and streaming services will be showing the game in the US: ViX, TUDN App, TUDN USA, TUDN.com, UniMás, Univision NOW, Paramount+, fuboTV

Barcelona vs Shakhtar preview

Barcelona’s casualty room was already filling up before the international break with six players carrying injuries. Xavi is waiting on Jules Koundé (knee), Frenkie de Jong (ankle), Sergi Roberto (calf), Pedri (thigh), Raphinha (muscular injury), Lamine Yamal (groin) and Robert Lewandowski (ankle).

Shakhtar have injury concerns of their own - Ivan Petryak (ankle), Lassina Traoré (tendon) and Valeriy Bondar (collarbone) remain on the long-term list.

Barcelona vs Shakhtar prediction

Under normal circumstances, few would bet against an unbeaten Barça side playing at home. But a growing injury list plus the fact that they face Madrid in El Clásico just four days after this game makes it harder to call. Xavi won’t be taking any risks but whatever team he fields will be going out to win. Their excellent defensive record and the fact that Shakhtar have been much less active makes us think that the Blaugranas will edge it.

Prediction: Barcelona 1-0 Shakhtar