Preview

July 25, Chernihiv, Y. Gagarin stadium, 19:00
Live broadcast on the Futbol 1 channel

Before the match
 
Taison already trains in the general group and gets prepared to play Desna after his post-World-Cup vacation. By the way, he is familiar with this club through a game four years ago. From the current squad, Taras Stepanenko, Sergii Kryvtsov and Ismaily were fielded back then.
 
The Miners went to Chernihiv on Wednesday morning. They expect full house in the Yurii Gagarin stadium.

Opponents

Desna are kicking off their Premier League campaign with an encounter with the domestic champions. Last season, Oleksandr Ryabokon's men claimed the third spot in the First League. In the transitional games, the Chernihiv team met with Zirka, enjoying a 4-0 demolition job at home after a 1-1 draw in Kropyvnytskyi. Levan Arveladze, who grabbed a brace in that game, has moved to Zorya this summer.
 
However, the top tier newcomers significantly strengthened their squad during the summer break. The keeper Ihor Litovka faced a competition from the experienced Yevhen Past, with the defensive line being strengthened by Andrii Hytchenko, Anton Bratkov and Serhii Lyulka. Midfield and offence wise, we should highlight the moves of Serhii Starenkyi, Ruslan Kysyl, Dmytro Khlebas and the 35-year-old former Ukraine forward Oleksandr Kovpak.
 
Head-to-head record
 
The opponents met twice in Chernihiv in the domestic Cup games (Shakhtar won 5-2 and 2-0).
 
Previous game
 
In the 2013/14 Ukrainian Cup quarter-finals, the hosts withstood it in the first half, securing a goalless draw on the scoreboard. Immediately after the break, Vasyl Kobin lobbed an Eduardo pass over the goalkeeper; a couple of minutes later, the Croat finished off an attacking move himself just in time, sealing a 2-0 win in favour of Shakhtar.