Before his UEFA Champions League coaching debut, AS Roma's Vincenzo Montella outlined his hopes of ending FC Shakhtar Donetsk's two-and-a-half year unbeaten home run.

With his AS Roma team trailing FC Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 after the round of 16 first leg in Italy – for which predecessor Claudio Ranieri was in charge – the former Giallorossi striker must attempt to engineer the Ukrainian side's first home defeat since October 2008.

In his interview with UEFA official website, 36-year-old Montella explained the circumstances surrounding his elevation from coaching the Under-15s in Roma's academy, gave his thoughts on the second leg, etc.

As for the upcoming match, Montella said: “Shakhtar are a great team and they showed that at the Olympic Stadium. Their players are young with great futures, their manager is very experienced and he knows Italian football, but, as I said, football is strange. In football especially, anything can happen. We're sure we can play a good game while being aware they haven't lost at home for several years, which I'm pleased about because there's always a first time.

We'll prepare for it and try to take our chances. We'll definitely need to play an error-free game – a perfect match as they say in these situations. Roma have the ability and the qualities to go out and win the game.”