Preview

March 12, Kryvyi Rih, Hirnyk, 14:00
Live stream – Setanta Sports

Match build-up

Shakhtar confidently started in the second part of the UPL, having won 2 crushing victories: first, the Miners defeated Minaj (4-1), and then inflicted a crushing defeat on Metalist 1925 (7-0). It is interesting that in these matches 8 different Shakhtar players scored, and only Danylo Sikan and Oleksandr Zubkov netted a brace each. Currently, the Orange-and-Blacks have caught up with Dnipro-1 – both teams have 36 points after 15 matches played. At the same time, Igor Jovicevic's lads have the best goal balance in the Premier League: 40 scored goals and only 12 conceded goals.

Also, Shakhtar continue the European cup season. Last Thursday, the Miners played the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg against Feyenoord in Warsaw (1-1). The difficult game will be remembered not only by Yaroslav Rakitskyi's incredible goal, but also by return of midfielder Marian Shved to the field, he missed the last few months due to injury. After the match, the Orange-and-Blacks made a 15-hour journey from the capital of Poland through Chisinau to Ukraine, and arrived in Kryvyi Rih only on Saturday night. And the entire preparation for the match against Kryvbas consisted of one training session.

Opponents

Kryvbas returned to the Premier League and immediately declared their ambitions: in 16 matches, Yurii Vernydub's team got 21 points (goal difference: 12–16) and are in 6th spot in the table, aiming to fight for a place in the European Cups. After the resumption of the championship, Kryvyi Rih team played 1 match, minimally defeating Kolos (1-0) thanks to a goal by Vitaliy Vernydub.

In the winter, Kryvbas line-up was reinforced by defender Danylo Beskorovainyi, midfielders Klim Prykhodko and Maksym Lunov. The team's leaders in terms of minutes played are goalkeeper Bohdan Sarnavskyi, defender Volodymyr Yakimets and midfielder Dmytro Khomchenovskyy, and the most prolific players are Nazarii Voloshyn and Roman Debelko (both have 4 goals each).

Match background

Shakhtar and Kryvbas played 43 matches in the Ukrainian League: the Miners won 30 matches, 7 ended in draw, Kryvyi Rih team were stronger 6 times. Total goal difference: 81–22 in favor of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous match

On August 28, 2022, Shakhtar and Kryvbas played in the 2nd round of the Ukrainian Premier League at NSC Olimpiyskiy in the capital. In a relatively even match, Igor Jovicevic's team managed to win – Artem Bondarenko scored the only goal in the 77th minute from Mudryk's cross – 1-0.

Kryvbas vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Kateryna Monzul. Assistants: Maryna Streletska and Svitlana Hrushko. VAR system will be used during the game (Igor Paskhal will be the referee).