Preview

November 10, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 15:30
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar have 23 points after 11 matches (goal difference: 28–11) and are in the top three of the league. Although Marino Pusic’s team are playing one of the most intense stretches of the season (the game against the Luhansk team will be the seventh in the last 3 weeks), but the Miners approach the meeting in a good mood on the wave of a winning streak. The Pitmen consecutively defeated Zorya (1-0) in the Ukrainian Cup, Chornomorets (2-1) in the league, and last Wednesday they also triumphed in the European arena, defeating Swiss Young Boys (2-1) in the Champions League match. Midfielder of the Orange-and-Blacks Heorhii Sudakov was recognised as the Player of the Match of the European Cup, he has a scored goal and an assist. He is the top goalscorer of the team this season (8 goals and 4 assists). Artem Bondarenko (6 goals) and Oleksandr Zubkov (5 goals) are also among the most prolific players.

Before the meeting with Zorya, Shakhtar players managed to hold two training sessions in Lviv, where they worked on tactical aspects and game components. All team players are preparing for the match, Dmytro Kryskiv returned after suspension as well.

Opponents

Zorya have 5 wins and 7 losses in 12 rounds of the league and are currently 9th in the UPL table with 15 points (goal difference: 12–14). In the previous round, Mladen Bartulovic’s team lost the game against LNZ (1-2) – midfielder of the Luhansk team Petar Micin opened the scoring in the middle of the first half, but the visiting team turned the game around after the break, scoring two times. The most prolific players of Zorya this season are still Pylyp Budkivskyi and Oleksandr Yatsyk (both have 3 goals).

Match background

Shakhtar and Zorya played 51 matches in the Ukrainian League: 40 wins of the Miners, 4 matches ended in draws, with the Luhansk team being stronger in 7 games. Total goal difference: 124–37 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

On October 30, the teams played in the Ukrainian Cup Round of 16 at the Arena Lviv. The Miners had an advantage from the start and opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Lassina Traore completed the combination move of Marlon Gomes and Pedrinho with an accurate shot. This goal was the only and decisive one – 1-0, the Pitmen won and advanced to the next round.

Shakhtar vs Zorya match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Oleksandr Afanasiev. Assistants: Volodymyr Dumenko and Yaroslav Povazhnyi. VAR system will be used during the game (Volodymyr Novokhatnii will be the VAR referee).