Preview

February 28, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 15:00
Live broadcast will be available on Setanta

Match build-up

Shakhtar have already begun the second part of the season with a two-match showdown with French Rennes in the UEFA Europa League and secured further European club cup journey, having won in penalty shootout. Now Igor Jovicevic’s men will open a spring stage of the Ukrainian Premier League, where they are in the 2nd spot in the table with 30 points in 13 matches (9 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss, goal difference: 29-11). The main goal of the Orange-and-Blacks remains the same – to win the title. The Miners are currently 5 points behind the leader and have a game in hand.

The Pitmen prepared for the meeting with Minaj in express mode: an extremely exhausting match was played in Rennes on Thursday, after which the team headed from France to Ukraine through Poland and held the first training session in Lviv only on Sunday.

Opponents

Minaj will play their debut competitive match after the winter break. The team finished the first part of the season in 13th spot in the UPL with 14 points in 14 matches played (3 wins, 5 draws, 6 losses, goal difference: 10-15). The most prolific player in the championship is an attacking midfielder Yehor Tverdokhlib (3 goals, 1 assist).

Volodymyr Shyran’s men conducted the training camp in Turkey during a three-month period without competitions, playing 7 friendlies (1 win, 3 draws, 3 losses). In the last days of the transfer window, the Transcarpathians announced several newcomers, the most famous of which are midfielders Mykhailo Shyshka (Shakhtar graduate, whose last club was Lviv) and Serhii Petko (former player of Chornomorets), who joined the club as free agents, as well as defender Oleksandr Melnyk taken on loan from Oleksandriia.

Match background

Shakhtar and Minaj played 3 matches in the Ukrainian League: the Miners claimed 2 crushing victories (5-1 and 4-0) and another meeting ended in draw (1-1). Total goal difference: 10-2 in favour of the Pitmen.

Previous meeting

Previous clash between the teams was on August 29, 2021 in Uzhhorod at the Avanhard stadium. The Miners played with one man down from the 16th minute after Brazilian defender Marlon’s sending-off, but they managed to open the score already in the first half – Lassina Traore scored from the penalty spot. Minaj acted actively after the break and saved 1-1 draw owing to a goal by Rustam Ahmedzade in the 76th minute.

Shakhtar vs Minaj match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Anatolii Abdula. Assistants: Oleksandr Berkut and Semen Shlonchak.