Preview

April 27, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 18:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar are approaching the Ukrainian Clasico with 53 points after 25 matches (goal difference: 59–22). Over the past month, the Miners have consistently played two games a week, alternating league matches with Cup battles. Thus, on Wednesday, Marino Pusic’s team defeated Polissia (1-0) in another 120-minute showdown and qualified for the final of the Ukrainian Cup, where they will now face Dynamo Kyiv. It is interesting that the decisive goal in that game was scored by 19-year-old winter newcomer of the Pitmen, Brazilian winger Alisson, for whom it was his debut goal for the Orange-and-Blacks.

Shakhtar players were preparing for the upcoming match in Lviv, where they held an open training session on Saturday: the day before the game, head coach Marino Pusic and team leader Heorhii Sudakov spoke with journalists. However, participation in the Clasico for the top scorer of the Pitmen in this championship (Sudakov has 11 goals and 4 assists in the UPL) is undecided due to injuries. Injured goalkeeper Kiril Fesiun and defender Yukhym Konoplia will definitely not help the Miners today. All other players are in the squad and preparing for the match.

Opponents

After 25 rounds, Dynamo lead the UPL table with 60 points (goal difference: 53–15), continuing their 27-match unbeaten streak in the championship: it is interesting that the Kyiv team’s last loss was to Shakhtar in May last year. In the last four Premier League matches, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi’s team did not concede any goals, and they defeated Obolon Kyiv (3-0) in the previous round. The most prolific player of the White-and-Blues is Vladyslav Vanat, who leads the UPL scoring ranking with 15 goals. This week, Dynamo also reached the Ukrainian Cup semi-finals, defeating Bukovyna (4-1) from the First League. In that game, Nazarii Voloshyn bagged a brace, with Viktor Brazhko and Mykola Shaparenko adding a goal each. There are also no suspended footballers in the Kyiv team, so all players are ready for the match.

Match background

Shakhtar and Dynamo have played 73 matches in the Ukrainian League. The Miners have 28 wins, 20 meetings ended in draws, the Kyiv team were stronger 25 times. Total goal difference: 89–85 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks. Shakhtar’s unbeaten streak in the Ukrainian Clasico at the UPL level already includes 6 matches (3 wins and 3 draws).

Previous meeting

On October 27, 2024, the teams met in the match of the first stage of the championship in Kyiv. The first half passed with the advantage of the Pitmen, but the spectators did not see any goals scored. The score was opened immediately after the break: in the 48th minute, Artem Bondarenko scored after a corner kick. The Miners spent the final half hour shorthanded after Dmytro Kryskiv was sent off, and eventually the hosts managed to equalise thanks to Oleksandr Karavaiev’s goal in the 87th minute. The result was a 1-1 draw.

The Shakhtar vs Dynamo match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Vitalii Romanov. Assistants – Semen Shlonchak and Viktor Nyzhnyk. VAR – Mykola Balakin.