Preview

December 12, Kyiv, NSC Olimpiyskiy, 22:00
Live broadcast on Futbol 2 channel
 
Before the match
 
The competition for spot distribution in group F will continue through the last second. Before the final round, Lyon are two points ahead of Shakhtar, with Paulo Fonseca's men having the same lead over Hoffenheim. To reach the Round of 16, the Miners need to win the last game this year, while a draw in Kyiv will be enough for the French.
 
For the first time in their history, Shakhtar will play a UCL game at the NSC Olimpiyskiy. Tickets are on sale now. Fans can also purchase VIP packages and corporate boxes.

Opponents
 
The team’s first leg featured spectacular football and multiple scoring chances. Lyon came from behind and were tied after losing 0-2, being the only group representatives to have suffered no defeats. In many ways, the current point advantage of the French was determined by their opening victory over Manchester City.
 
Bruno Genesio’s men feel very comfortable away, never giving up their own game. This season’s away game stats speaks volumes about them: on 7 occasions out of 9, the Weavers netted at least two goals (except for their defeats at the hands of Stade de Reims and PSG). At the same time, Lyon secured only one clean sheet away - it happened back in September vs Dijon FCO (3-0).
 
Recently, Genesio has used the formation with three central defenders. Against Stade Rennais, the squad was as follows: Lopes, Tete, Denayer, Marcelo, Morel (Dembele, 74), Mendy, Aouar, Ndombele (Sheikh, 21’; Tousart, 46’), Fekir, Depay, Traore. Lyon lost after conceding two goals late in the first half.
 
Genesio’s major personnel issue these days is whether one of the team’s midfield leaders Tanguy Ndombele will be able to benefit the team after getting injured. Maxwel Cornet, according to the French media, will not recover by the game after his great performance in both legs vs City. Meanwhile, the return of Leo Dubois somewhat expands the choice right-backs, offering an alternative to Tete.
 
Previous game
 
On October 2, in Lyon, the teams played behind closed doors. In the 11th minute, the hosts had a good opportunity to open the scoring - Pyatov, outside the penalty area, stopped with his foot a Dembele attempt. Midway through the first half, Shakhtar responded with a shot by Moraes (Lopes turned it for a corner). And yet it was Junior who became the hero of the evening on Shakhtar’s behalf. In the 44th minute, he finished off a cross by Ismaily, also completing a counterattack by Matviienko, Marlos and Patrick to make it 0-2. This development of events did not embarrass Lyon at all, with Genesio’s men delivering a powerful performance in the closing 30 minutes. Depay’s sub appearance was decisive in many respects. In the 70th and 72nd minutes, the French netted two goals (with Dembele and Dubois scoring), with the teams exchanging super chances late in the game, in particular when Kayode struck the crosspiece.