U21. Shakhtar vs Volyn: preview

In the previous round, Shakhtar U21 beat their Vorskla counterparts away (3-1), still sitting in the second spot. After eight games, the Orange-and-Blacks have 19 points at the goal difference of 24-7. In Poltava, the charges of Valeriy Kryventsov not only achieved the desired result, but also showcased some great quality football.

Ahead of the meeting with their Volyn opponents, the Donetsk side do not experience any personnel problems. The formerly injured Taras Kacharaba is back with the team, with Illia Ichuaidze, who has not appeared this season, still recovering. Also, none of the Pitmen will miss the upcoming encounter for disciplinary reasons.

Referee – Mykola Balakin (Kyiv oblast)
Assistant referees – Andriy Lytvyn, Taras Klymenko (both from Kyiv)
Fourth official – Vladyslav Dorosh (Kyiv)
Referee observer – Viktor Shvetsov (Odesa)

In the opening eight rounds, Volyn U21 claimed 2 wins, along with 1 draw and 5 defeats. In the table, the Lutsk side sit in the penultimate, 11th place (with 7 points and the goal difference of 8-24). Volyn scored all their points in the home games, suffering 4 away defeats (including three thrashings) without scoring a single goal.

In the previous round, the Lutsk team clained a home win at Oleksandriya (3-1). The outcome was secured in the first half: Lezin and Melinishin put their names on the scoresheet for the hosts, also taking advantage of the visitors’ own goal. The only goal for Oleksandriya was netted by Shakhtar Academy graduate Maksym Zhychykov.

It is worth noting the major rotation carried out by Volyn coaching staff this season: from the beginning of the league season, 38 (!) players appeared for Volyn U21 team. For instance, the Pitmen fielded 25 players.

As part of the U21 league season, Shakhtar beat Volyn in the last 6 meetings. Interestingly, in those encounters the Pitmen scored 32 goals against Lutsk (an average of 5 goals per game).

In the 2015/16 season, Shakhtar won in Lutsk (2-0). Andrii Boriachuk opened the scoring on 69 minutes from the spot, with Serhiy Gryn excelling in the next attack. In Shchaslyve, the Pitmen scored two goals in the first half (Gryn, Zubkov), with Volyn captain Mykytiuk scoring one against the Pitmen and one own goal. As a result, 3-1 in favour of Shakhtar.

The upcoming match will see the U21league’s best attacking and worst defending sides: Shakhtar scored 24 goals, with Volyn conceding the same number of goals in 8 matches.

Shakhtar forward Andrii Boriachuk - after scoring a brace in Poltava – has topped the premiership scoring race, with 7 goals in 6 games. His teammate Mykyta Adamenko is not far behind him through netting a goal in each game.