Preview

March 12, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 18:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar confidently started the spring part of the championship and, having gained maximum points in 3 matches, got to the 1st spot in the UPL. The Miners currently have 40 points (goal difference: 37-17) and 2 games in hand compared to their competitors. In the previous round, Marino Pusic's men claimed a win over Kolos (3-2). In this match, winter newcomer of the Orange-and-Blacks Kevin netted his first goals for the club, scoring a brace. Also, Traore scored in the second game in a row.

Shakhtar players continue to be based in Lviv. The short interval between the games was filled by 2 training sessions, where they mostly worked on tactics. Besides, the meeting at the Arena Lviv, like the 2 previous home matches of the Pitmen, will be held in the presence of a limited number of fans (up to 500 spectators).

Opponents

Minaj successfully started the second stage of the season too, tying with Dnipro-1 (1-1) and winning at home against Metalist 1925 (2-0). This allowed the team to slightly improve their chances in the fight for survival, although the Transcarpathians still remain at the bottom of the Premier League table with 10 points after 18 matches (goal difference: 9-27). In the previous round, Zeljko Ljubenovic’s side were defeated in an away game against Zorya (0-2).

Match background

Shakhtar and Minaj played 6 UPL games: the Miners won 5 times (5-1, 4-0, 4-1, 1-0, 4-1), with one meeting ending in a draw (1-1). Total goal difference: 19-4 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

On September 2, 2023, Shakhtar and Minaj met on the field of the Transcarpathians. In the 37th minute, the Pitmen’s defender Mykola Matviienko opened the score, with Oleksii Kashchuk (60th minute) and Heorhii Sudakov (66th minute) developing success after the break. In the 72nd minute, the hosts pulled a goal back through Yehor Hunichev’s efforts, but Bohdan Viunnyk's precise shot capped the scoring. 4-1 – victory of the Miners.

Shakhtar vs Minaj match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Volodymyr Novokhatnii. Assistants: Dmytro Ohanesian and Vasyl Ostapchuk. VAR system will be used during the game (Maksym Kozyriatskyi will be the VAR referee).