The veteran coach has backed both German clubs to triumph over Real Madrid and Barcelona in their upcoming Champions League semi-finals
Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu has tipped Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich to prevail over their respective Spanish counterparts to set up an all-German Champions League final.
Barcelona travel to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday before Jose Mourinho’s side visit Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday in a repeat of their group stage encounter earlier this season.
Lucescu, whose Shakhtar side were comfortably dispatched by Dortmund in the last 16, says Jurgen Klopp’s men have the edge over Madrid due to their recent meetings with the Blancos.
“Real Madrid are not favourites to win the tie,” Lucescu was quoted saying by Sport.
“Dortmund already defeated them in Germany this season and came very close to doing the same in the reverse fixture. They demonstrated that they are able to beat them.”
“They are a very good young team who are very well organised and very well prepared physically. They play attacking football and their front line of [Mario] Gotze, [Marco] Reus and [Robert] Lewandowski are all very dangerous.”
Meanwhile, the 67-year-old listed Barcelona’s percieved reliance on Lionel Messi among the reasons why he believes Bayern will progress to the final in Wembley.
“With Bayern they have already won the Bundesliga, so they can focus on the Champions League,” he added.
“They have a great squad with great competitiveness in each position, while FC Barcelona are highly dependent on Messi’s recovery.”