Preview

July 31, Kraków, Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana, 21:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV and the Solidsport platform

Match build-up

Shakhtar secured a brilliant win in the first meeting between the teams, which took place a week ago in Istanbul (4-2). Arda Turan’s men got down to business right away at the Beşiktaş Stadium and built a comfortable lead through goals from Alisson in the 7th minute and Eguinaldo in the 28th. However, the hosts managed to pull one back with Abraham’s effort before the break. After the interval, Kevin scored a third from Alisson’s assist to restore the two-goal cushion. Late in the game, the sides exchanged goals again through João Mário and Kevin, so the scoreline remained unchanged.

The Miners spent the week between the two matches at their summer base in Brdo, but the training camp in Slovenia, which lasted nearly a month and a half, has now concluded, so the team will return to Ukraine after today’s game. For now, the Orange-and-Blacks have arrived in Kraków, Poland, where they will play their home matches in this European campaign. There are no squad issues apart from Dmytro Kryskiv’s injury and a minor knock to defender Marlon, although the coaching staff expect both to return in the near future.

Opponents

Beşiktaş, for whom the match in Istanbul was their first competitive game of the new season, prepared for the return leg through a regular week-long training cycle. According to media reports, the team arrived in Kraków without one of their key players – Portuguese midfielder Gedson Fernandes is reportedly close to leaving the club. Head coach of the Black Eagles Ole Gunnar Solskjær also stated at the pre-match press conference that the participation of another Istanbul star, Orkun Kökçü, is in doubt – he has travelled to Kraków but is training individually.

Stadium

Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana in Kraków was opened in 1953. A major reconstruction took place between 2004 and 2011 ahead of UEFA Euro 2012, although the stadium was not included in Poland’s final list of host venues. The latest renovation was carried out in 2022–2023. The arena has a capacity of 33,326 and meets UEFA Category 4 standards.

The Shakhtar vs Beşiktaş match will be officiated by the judging panel from Spain: referee – Juan Martínez Munuera, assistant referees – Diego Barbero and Miguel Martínez, video assistant referee – Valentín Gómez.