Champions League Shakhtar – Antwerp 1:0. The Donetsk team guaranteed themselves a European spring

Champions League

Group H, fifth round

Volksparkstadion (Hamburg)

Chief referee: Bartosz Frankowski (Poland)

“Antwerp” surprised us first of all with its fans. Today at the match there was the largest away stand for the entire group stage of Shakhtar in Hamburg. Despite the unpleasant and cold German weather, the guests began to start their chants even before the start of the match. But the Ukrainian fans, who were scattered around the stadium among the Hamburg fans, did not stop talking.

The Belgians tried to attack sharply. In one of these moments – after Sudakov was cut in the center of the field – the ball reached almost the striking position near the goalkeeper. Then Azarov and Riznyk cleaned up.

Shakhtar played positionally, but the nominal hosts created the first chance thanks to a counterattack. In the third minute, Sikan received the ball in the center, passed it to Neverton on the left, and he, without hesitation, aimed from the penalty line at the far right corner – past the goal.

Subsequently, the set piece helped the Pitmen open the scoring. On the left flank, Azarov hit the opponent’s hand. Zubkov crossed into the penalty area, and Matvienko headed it past the goalkeeper. Nikolai’s first goal in European competition at the senior level. Just in time – in the 50th anniversary match in Europe.

Shakhtar did not sit down on the defensive, taking the lead, but it was the opponents who created more chances before the break. On the 23rd minute Balikvish shot from a very good position – Bondar threw himself under the ball. Then suddenly, after a rebound, Mukha received the ball at the forefront of the attack. The Albanian shot with force from the penalty line – Riznyk pulled it off.

But all the sharpness from the guests could have been leveled before the break. Kryskiv perfectly opened up for the run and crossed into the center. Neverton took advantage of the defender’s mistake and shot at goal – the goalkeeper parried with his body. Sudakov was the first to finish, but his header hit just above the crossbar.

The Belgians started the second half actively. True, it was Pusic’s team who created the first real chance after the break. In the 55th minute, Stepanenko took the ball in a tackle in the opposing half of the field. Azarov dragged it to the penalty area and shot: it hit the crossbar. The goalkeeper barely touched the ball.

Moreover! In the 62nd minute, Stepanenko himself hit the woodwork. After his shot at the rebound, the ball licked the same crossbar.

After relative calm, the teams woke up in extra time for the second half. Bondarenko was taken one on one, he beat the goalkeeper, but could not shoot past the defender into the goal. The Donetsk team could have conceded at the end, but Riznyk saved the Belgians’ shot from close range and saved Shakhtar.

But it became even hotter after the final whistle. There was a fight in the center of the field, which resulted in the fall of Bondar, a second yellow and removal for Mukha and a warning for Riznyk.

The victory gives the Pitmen the opportunity to match Barcelona and Porto on points. The two teams will play head-to-head later today in Spain. However, the Donetsk team is guaranteed not to fall below third place.

The group stage in Hamburg is over for Shakhtar. In addition to the Ukrainians in the stands, local fans also enthusiastically supported the Pitmen in all matches. The Donetsk management definitely made the right decision when choosing the arena. But you can go even further: thank Hamburg with the stage of the 1/8 finals of the Champions League. Everything will be decided in the last round.

Shakhtar – Antwerp 1:0

Key: Matvienko 12

“Miners”: Riznyk – Gocholeishvili, Bondar, Matvienko, Azarov – Stepanenko – Zubkov, Sudakov, Kryskiv (Kelsey 89), Neverton (Bondarenko 70) – Sikan (Rakitsky 90+6)

“Antwerp”: Butte – Wijndal, Alderweireld, S. Coulibaly, Bataille – Vermeeren, Yusuf (Ilenichena 73) – Kerk (Ejuke 46), Balikwisha, Mucha – Janssen

Warnings: Srna 56 (outside), Gocholeishvili 83, Riznyk 90+7 – S. Coulibaly 30, Kerk 45+1, Mukha 90+4, 90+7

Removal: Fly 90+7

Photo: Mikhail Lozovyand, UA-Football