Preview

The match will be aired live on Shakhtar TV and on Shakhtar Club at 16:00.

Champions and leaders

The club was founded in 1919, being one of the most decorated sides in Slovakia. They are 10-time champions and 9-time Cup winners. Back in Czechoslovakia in 1969, the Sky-Blues won the Cup Winners' Cup. They have the 150th position in the UEFA’s coefficients rankings.

Slovan are the reigning champions of Slovakia and the current league leaders. In 18 games, they claimed 14 wins, alongside two draws and two defeats. The footballers showcase the top performance and the best defence in the league, with the goal difference of 45-11.

The club has kicked off the current European campaign in the UEFA Champions League qualifying round one with a 0-3 defeat at the hands of KI Klaksvik (Faroe Islands). This was followed by their Europa League qualification defeat to the Finnish KuPS: 1-1 in regular time and 3-4 in the penalty shootout.

Ukrainian trace

Slovan's colours are defended by 19 internationals, including the Ukrainian defender Artem Sukhotskyi and the Moroccan winger Moha who previously played for Olimpik Donetsk. Five footballers play for national teams. The team’s best scorer this season is the Brazilian centre-forward Rafael (nine goals). As for the best assist providers, there are three of them: the same Rafael, the winger Aleksandar Cavric and the central midfielder Nono each provided five assists.

The team is coached by a 53-year-old Darko Milanic. Previously, this specialist worked at Maribor, Leeds, Sturm and Gorica. The preferred formation is 1-4-2-3-1.