It’s Shakhtar’s BIGGEST GAME IN FOUR YEARS!

Following last Tuesday’s 4-1 demolition of Basel in Gelsenkirchen, Shakhtar earned the right to take part in their first European semi final since 15/16!

Tonight’s one legged UEL clash v Inter takes place in Düsseldorf

UEL SEMI FINAL

Inter Milan v Shakhtar Donetsk

(20:00🇬🇧22:00🇺🇦)

For the 1st time in this Europa League campaign (Shakhtar entered at the R32) The Miners go into their last 4 tie v Inter as the underdogs

Two met before in 05/06 UCL Q (1-1 A / 0-2 H) Inter Won (3-1 agg)

Shakhtar impressed last week as they blew Basel away

Moraes was a real nuisance

He’s having a prolific season is Shakhtar’s key (only) forward (3 in last 2)

The Brazilian born contingent all shone w Taison, Patrick & Dodo also scoring)

Supplemented by a 🇺🇦 defensive spine

Mykola Matvienko expected to continue his role at LB in place of injured Ismaily

Khocholava back from his red card suspension – Bondar likely to return to bench as a result despite impressing v Basel

Full strength selection available for Luís Castro – Wolfsburg XI expected

Shakhtar have been ruthless since dropping into the competition from the UCL

v Benfica (5-4 agg)
v Wolfsburg (5-2 agg)
v Basel (4-1)

Unbeaten ‘away’

Fluid & speedy attacks played on the break have been primary goal origins

If allowed to control tempo – Inter will have issues

Marcos Antonio has been a revelation this season, especially post lockdown

He’s the key between midfield & attack with Marlos & Taison providing technical support to Moraes – supplementing his goalscoring burden

Alan Patrick dictates the pace & tempo whilst Stepanenko enforces

One Italian journalist was quoted in the build up to this:

‘It has to be said that they have a goalkeeper who could concede 12 goals if Inter took 12 shots’

A rather harsh assessment of veteran Andriy Pyatov who may have occasional lapses but on the whole is a quality GK

Pyatov did win the UEFA Cup back in 09 after all as well

It’s Shakhtar’s first semi final since 15/16 where they faced current SD man Konoplyanka’s Sevilla & lost on agg (3-1 A / 2-2 H)

Hence a 1 legged tie should aide SD & help keep Lukaku & co at bay for less time

Kryvtsov & Khocholava/Bondar’ll need to be at the top of their game to keep Lukaku quiet but fortunately Shakhtar’s physical defensive base should assist them

Stepanenko deploys as a sweeper at times, when required to bolster the defence in instance of full backs going forward

Shakhtar face a very similar task to that of Dnipro back in 14/15

Not playing their matches at ‘home’ stadium (Kyiv / Germany)

They need to defeat Serie A opposition (Napoli / Inter)

Sevilla awaits in the final…

Dnipro made the final on that occasion also as underdogs…

Shakhtar can take lessons from Dnipro and from their own UEFA Cup successes in 09 to spur themselves into the final tonight

Inter are a great side – but aren’t that intimidating for SD who regularly play UCL

The underdog card allows SD to take the pressure off of themselves

If anything the strange neutral venue conditions & empty stadiums are something SD are rather used to after years of internal exile in Ukraine due to Donetsk’s ongoing occupation by Russian forces

Over 1 leg – anything can happen & Shakhtar are more than capable of an upset!

A TRIO OF HISTORIC PROMOTIONS!

The most exciting Persha Liha in years has finally concluded over 12 months after it began!

The 19/20 CHAMPIONS are…

FC MINAJ 🥇

RUKH LVIV finish 🥈(This was confirmed following a UAF disciplinary hearing)

Inhulets come in 🥉

As a result there will be THREE UPL DEBUTANTS going into the 20/21 top flight season!

Inhulets have led the pack since the return from lockdown but the neck and neck race between them and Minaj sees the latter pip them at the line!

Minaj beat fellow promotion chasers Volyn to take gold & consign their opponents to another season in the Persha Liha

Inhulets blew the title and finish runners up after they drew 1-1 with 3rd bottom Balkany!

Balkany remain in Persha Liha for another season whilst MFC Metalurh enter the relegation play offs with Cherkashchyna!

Metalurh face Druha Liha B third placed side, Alliance Lypova Dolyna in their Relegation play off whilst Cherkashchyna take on Veres from Druha Liha A!

Rukh beat Avanhard Kramatorsk 4-0 to gain promotion in STYLE! Their game in hand is expected to be given as a 3-0 victory to them after a UAF hearing!

Ahrobiznes also win their final game 2-0 v Obolon but are destined to finish 4th following the Rukh hearing!

With regards to stadium news ahead of next season Inhulets owner Oleksandr Povoroznyuk’s revealed that his newly promoted side will play their 20/21 home games in nearby Kropyvnitskyi at the Zirka Stadium.

Their new stadium, currently under construction in Petrove is expected to be completed by April 2021.

It’s a real shame that this ‘away end’ will never grace the UPL!

SHAKHTAR ENTER THE BUSINESS END OF THE EUROPA LEAGUE!

Following their impressive 5-1 aggregate win v Wolfsburg last week, Shakhtar enter the QF’s for the first time since 15/16

Tonight they face Basel as the tournament enters its neutral one leg territory phase in Germany

UEL QUARTER FINAL:

Shakhtar v Basel

(20:00🇬🇧22:00🇺🇦)

Shakhtar go into their first European QF since 15/16 as the slight favourites. They face Basel, who recently finished 3rd in the Swiss League

However they too knocked out Bundesliga opposition – Eintracht last week

Shakhtar’s 2nd leg 3-0 victory on paper – many would say flattered them

The reason for this was due to all 3 goals coming post 89’ – with Moraes grabbing a brace and sub Solomon getting one as well

However, this didn’t detract too much from the actual flow of the game

Both teams were down to 10 men from 70’ onwards – but Shakhtar dominated throughout the game

They had an opening 20 min period where Wolfsburg tried to get back into the tie – but once Shakhtar settled they easily began to dictate the tempo of play – as they did in 19/20 UPL

Moraes impressed – his persistence eventually paid off despite it not looking like it was going to be his day

He needs to be protected from injury as he remains the only experienced CF Shakhtar have

Fortunately they have an abundance of depth in midfield

Konoplyanka, Tete and Solomon can all be called up from the bench – to add attacking prowess against flailing defences

The main active problem area going into this fixture for Castro is in defence

Following Khocholava’s red card – there are a number of options Castro can use!

Potential defensive line ups:

Bolbat or Cipriano – LB / Matvienko – Kryvtsov / Dodô – RB

Matvienko – LB / Bondar – Kryvtsov / Dodô – RB

Dodô – LB / Matvienko – Kryvtsov / Bolbat or Cipriano- RB

Ukraine U20 WC winning captain Bondar took part in the pre match press conference which be of some significance to the XI

Shakhtar have a good record against Basel – won 2 and drawn 1

However, Swiss sides do have a tendency of being bogey teams for Ukrainian clubs – Young Boys defeating Shakhtar & Dynamo most recently

On the whole you would expect the Ukrainian champions to make it into the Semis – where Inter await!

A victory here in normal time will be the aim – to reserve as much energy as possible for Inter who did the deed inside 90’

More UEFA coefficient points on the line for Ukraine!

THE EUROPA LEAGUE HIATUS IS OVER!

After almost 5 months, Shakhtar Donetsk RESUME their 19/20 European campaign as the last Ukrainian side still standing on the continent!

They face Wolfsburg in the 2nd leg of their UEL Round of 16 tie.

Shakhtar (2) v (1) Wolfsburg

(17:55🇬🇧19:55🇺🇦)

Shakhtar lead on aggregate following a narrow but deserved away win at the Volkswagen Arena back in March.

Marcos Antonio scored the winner that night following Moraes’ opener & Brooks’ equaliser.

Antonio’s goal may prove vital in the away goal stakes too!

Commenting on his & the team’s prep ahead of this game he said:

‘(Today’s) game is completely different (to first leg)- we need to forget about it…The major thing is making it further – Q for UEL QFs’

There are no fresh injury concerns for Shakhtar going into this game. Ismaily had ACL surgery post lockdown and is already out until Dec. Meanwhile Vladyslav Vakula will also be unable to help the team. Other than that – a full strength squad is expected to be selected by Castro!

The match will be taking place in Kyiv – for ease of logistical purposes and for Coronavirus safety reasoning. There’s little point in flying to Kharkiv & risking potential virus contraction especially when you’re playing Behind Closed Doors anyway. Shakhtar are expected to continue to use Kyiv for 20/21 too, following negotiations with Dynamo and the Olympiyskyi.

Shakhtar go into this tie as recently crowned UPL Champions. They won the league with 5 games to spare and as a result played out the season at a lower intensity & at times with weaker squads. Will this end up being detrimental in the side’s preparedness?

Wolfsburg return to competitive action for the first time in a month & a half. The side experienced a very inconsent final run-in following the Covid Bundesliga return. Also they have a number of injury issues – including Kevin Mbabu who tested + for Covid & is in self isolation!

The Wolfsburg team have reportedly shown concern for travelling to Ukraine due to rising Covid numbers ahead of arriving in Kyiv. Similarly in a recent interview , Wolfsburg boss initially thought his side were going to Donetsk to play (highlighting their preparedness)…

Overall – the game is delicately poised – with neither side fully certain of their match fitness despite a couple of warm up friendlies. Shakhtar with the away goal adv need to make it count to set up a UEL QF tie with either Basel or Eintracht

UEFA Coefficient points are riding on it!

Karpaty, have today revealed that they are going for a complete rebrand!

As their recent official website & social medial posts have revealed- drastic changes are coming as they prepare for life in Ukraine’s 3rd tier!

However ALL is not lost…

Do not be so quick to judge this logo change as something cheap or lazy – it is likely for good purpose…

Karpaty’s part owner Oleh Smaliychuk & Ultras Karpaty have taken part in an official legal hand over ceremony where the latter have become the official rights owners of the historic old badge.

This means it can be safeguarded in the future – especially if the current club goes bust, which very much could be the case.

Ultimately – it is likely that the current Karpaty Lviv will be liquidated (with its new badge) As a result this logo transfer will allow a reborn club / an unofficial successor to use the old badge – now it’s not in ownership of the club!

Smaliychuk is smartly trying to prevent all of the club’s rich history from going into the bin!

THE EUROPA LEAGUE PLAY OFF FINAL IS UPON US 🇪🇺🇺🇦

We have come to the official end of the 19/20 Ukrainian (domestic) football season!

Kolos Kovalivka take on Mariupol for a place in the 20/21 UEL 2nd Q round!

The Village takes on The Seagulls at the NSK Olympiyskyi today 🔥

WEDNESDAY

Kolos v Mariupol

(17:30🇬🇧19:30🇺🇦)

UPL debutants Kolos Kovalivka are 90 minutes away from their maiden European campaign – after their very first season in Ukraine’s top flight!

Kovalivka, the Kyiv Oblast village that they hail from, has a population of just 1,500!

Their stadium used to hold just 1,500 people before being renovated this season and is expected to host its first UPL game next season – with a new capacity of 5,000!

Whatever happens it’s been a hugely successfully & unprecedented debut UPL season

One in which they finished in 6th (top half of the table) & recorded some historic results such as narrow losses to SD (4-3/1-0) & beat DK (2-0)

Ruslan Kostyshyn’s men play great football to match

Their dismantling of Dnipro-1 in the semi final by a scoreline of 4-1 showed the quality they possess in their ranks – with a good mix of veteran UPL players & young talent which has a bright future!

They may not be 100% ready for the UEL but they’ll give it a go if they make it

Due to stadium renovations this season, the side has played their home games in North Kyiv’s Obolon Arena and more recently at the Olympiyskyi

The ownership – a successful Agricultural firm (‘Kolos’ means an ear of wheat) bussed in fans from the Kovalivka & surrounding villages for free to see their team play

More fans are expected today as the UPL & UAF continue their post Covid-19 stadium open door experiment – with 25% capacity permitted at the Olympiyskyi – whilst conforming to social distancing rules!

On the other hand, Mariupol go into this game as underdogs!

The side finished in a record 4th place in 18/19 and have some UEL Q round experience to match but have been far from eye catching this season

They finished 8th in the league – but did beat 5th Oleksandriya in the Semi

With rumours of manager Oleksandr Babych potentially being lined up as a Skripnyk replacement at Zorya

It’s difficult to see where this Mariupol side are going – especially with the high # of SD loan players it has

After the past season, hard to see them go far in Europe either!