Preview

August 28, Kyiv, NSC Olimpiyskiy, 3:00 PM
Live stream: Setanta Sports

Before the match

Shakhtar started the season with draw against Metalist 1925 (0-0). Igor Jovicevic’s team made at least 20 goal attempts, but did not manage to score. Brazilian Lucas Taylor, Croatian Neven Djurasek, Ukrainians Bohdan Mykhailichenk and Oleg Ocheretko made their debut in the previous match. Andriy Totovytskyi and Ivan Petriak performed as well after returning to the club.

The Orange-and-Blacks prepared for the match against Kryvbas at their training base in Sviatoshyn. One more newcomer, Oleksandr Zubkov, joined the training in the general group. There are no injured or disqualified players in Shakhtar.

We want to note that the match will take place on the last August Sunday when the Donetsk City Day and the Miner's Day are traditionally celebrated.

Opponent

Krybvas returned to the UPL 9 years ago. The team got a serious staff reinforcement for the new season: Yuriy Vernydub famous for his work with Zorya Luhansk and Sheriff Tiraspol was invited to the head coach position; the squad was completed by experienced Ukrainian players Dmytro Khomchenovskyi, Vitaliy Vernydub, Bohdan Sarnavskyi, Yevhen Banada and others.

The only thing that the team from Kryvyi Rih lacks is a rapport. It was demonstrated in MD1 game where Kryvbas minimally lost to Kolos (0-1). Herewith, coach Yuriy Vernydub received the red card and will not be able to be on the coaching bench during next meeting.

Match background

The teams played 42 matches in the UPL: 29 victories of Shakhtar, 7 draws, 6 victories of Kryvbas. Total goal difference: 80–22 in favour of the Miners. Shakhtar also had the highest score 6-0 in season 1996/97 and 5-1 in season 2006/07.

Previous meeting

The last time teams played on November 30, 2012 in Kryvyi Rih at the Metalurg stadium. Shakhtar midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored the first goal in the 29th minute and Alex Teixeira strengthened the advantage in the 47th minute. The Orange-and-Blacks won 2-1.

Shakhtar vs Kryvbas match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Kateryna Monzul. VAR will be used during the game.