Preview

November 2, Warsaw, Stadion Wojska Polskiego, 19:45
Live broadcast is available on Megogo

Match build-up

Shakhtar started the main stage of the tournament with away win over RB Leipzig (4-1) immediately making their claims to advance from the group. After that, there were draws with Celtic (1-1), a narrow defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu (1-2) and win over Real Madrid lost in the last seconds in Warsaw (1-1). In the previous round, the Miners shared the points once again with the champions of Scotland at the Celtic Park (1-1). Thus, Igor Jovicevic’s side have 6 points after 5 matches (goal difference: 8–6) and a guaranteed Euorocup spring in the Europa League. The Miners can qualify for the Champions League Round of 16 in case of their victory over RB Leipzig.

The Orange-and-Blacks approached the game with their German opponents through a difficult match against Oleksandriia (2-2) in the Ukrainian League. The meet has lasted 3 hours due to the air raid alert; the Pitmen played with one man down for almost a half and lost points conceding at the end. But Shakhtar remain undefeated in the UPL (6 wins and 2 draws) and continue fight for the leadership. We want to note that defender Bohdan Mykhailichenko scored his first goal for the club and winger Mykhailo Mudryk found the net in the fourth match in a row – now he has 14 goal involvements in the season (7 goals and 7 assists).

Opponents

RB Leipzig lost 2 times in the beginning of the Champions League group stage – to Shakhtar (1-4) and Real Madrid (0-2). It was a demolition job by the Miners that caused the dismissal of coach Domenico Tedesco. The team’s pace has picked up with new head coach Marco Rose. The Germans defeated Celtic (3-1 at home and 2-0 away) and won a victory over Real Madrid (3-2) taking the second spot in Group F with 9 points due to this win.

October became super successful for RB Leipzig. The Bulls demonstrated an impressive streak of 9 lossless matches in 3 tournaments (7 wins and 2 draws with total goal difference of 25–9). The team leaders’ form is also impressive: Christopher Nkunku has already 13 scored goals and Timo Werner made 9 goals and provided 4 assists in this season. Their accurate shots ensured Marco Rose’s team a win in the Saturday’s meet with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga (2-0). We would like to mention the following losses in the staff due to injuries: main goalkeeper Gulacsi, defenders Klostermann and Halstenberg, midfielders Laimer and Haidara.

Previous meeting

On September 6, 2022, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar met in Germany in the Champions League MD1 game. Marian Shved used the keeper’s mistake and opened the score in the 16th minute. The hosts came back by Simakan’s efforts at the beginning of the first half, but Shved put the Pitmen in the lead again after Mudryk’s pass in just a minute later. In the 76th minute, Mykhailo Mudryk scored as well, and then he provided the second assist that Lassina Traore used to put a period in the match making it 4-1 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Shakhtar vs RB Leipzig match will be officiated by the judging panel form England headed by Michael Oliver.