Fred (No not that Fred. The other Fred. The good Fred.) set Shakhtar Donetsk down the path toward Champions League quarterfinal qualification with a well-placed free kick that gave Shakhtar a 2-1 victory over Roma. The second leg is still to be played of course, and Roma have an away goal, but let's not think about such things right now because all the focus should be on Fred's goal.
It takes something special to beat Roma goalkeeper Alisson when he's on his game, and Fred's goal absolutely qualifies as something special.
What a GOLAZO from Fred!
His beautiful free kick gave Shakhtar Donetsk the comeback win at home vs Roma. https://t.co/4Kl4Fl0yvg— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 21, 2018
Roma will need to win the return leg to have any chance of advancing, but they should like their chances of that as long as Edin Dzeko is healthy and paying attention.
GOAL! Roma lead 1-0 vs. Shakhtar Donestk! Great vision here by Džeko with the assist! BRAVO #ForzaRoma #UCL
— BIH SPORT LIVE (@BIHSPORTLIVE) February 21, 2018
Should Shakhtar advance to the quarterfinals, the other qualifiers will surely look at the Ukrainians as a favorable draw, a weak link. Those clubs, though, should be wary of Fred. Unless Manchester City finds a way around transfer regulations and buys him before then. Which could happen.