Celta 0-1 Shakhtar
Thursday, February 16, 2017
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In the Europa League Round of 32 first leg, the Pitmen played Celta, Spain away
2016/17 UEFA Europa League. Round of 32. First leg.
February 16, 2017. Vigo. Balaidos. Att: 18,318. +14oC.
RC Celta (Vigo, Spain) 0-1 (0-1) Shakhtar (Donetsk, Ukraine)
Goals: 0-1 Leschuk (26)
Celta: Álvarez, Mallo (c), Roncaglia, Cabral, Jonny, Radoja (Jozabed, 74), Hernández, Aspas, Wass, Bongonda (Sisto, 58), Guidetti (Rossi, 84)
Unused subs: Blanco, Fontàs, Sergi Gómez, Díaz
Head coach: Eduardo Berizzo
Shakhtar: Pyatov, Srna (c), Ordets, Rakits’kyy, Ismaily, Malyshev, Fred, Marlos (Azevedo, 90+3), Dentinho (Kovalenko, 46), Taison (Bernard, 84), Leschuk
Unused subs: Shevchenko, Butko, Kucher, Boriachuk
Head coach: Paulo Fonseca
Booked: Ordets (41), Taison (45+1), Srna (45+4), Radoja (67), Wass (71), Aspas (75), Malyshev (75), Rakits’kyy (81)
Referee: Gediminas Mažeika (Lithuania)
Before the match
The Orange-and-Blacks opened the calendar year 2017 with the Europa League clash versus Celta. Shakhtar head coach Paulo Fonseca fielded the team’s newcomer Gustavo Blanco Leschuk from the opening minutes. Ivan Ordets teamed up with Yaroslav Rakits'kyy in the role of centre-back, while Dentinho, Malyshev and Taison took to the field from the off.
After latching onto Fred’s pass and going one on one with a goalkeeper, Marlos rounded the latter to hit into Bongonda’s back, with Gustavo Blanco Leschuk appearing first in the rebound and firing it home to mark his first appearance for Shakhtar with a goal
First half
The game kicked off at a slow pace, with both opponents not rushing things. However, the hosts found themselves more frequently near Andriy Pyatov’s goal without creating threatening moments though. Shakhtar footballers, on their part, attempted to launch set-play attacks by employing primarily the left wing. Into 16 minutes of the match, Celta featured the first moment of danger. After playing one-two with Bongonda, Guidetti flicked his effort over the bar. In course of time, the Pitmen seized the initiative and managed to bring the ball under control. On 26 minutes, the Orange-and-Blacks opened the scoring. After latching onto Fred’s pass and going one on one with a goalkeeper, Marlos rounded the latter to hit into Bongonda’s back, with Gustavo Blanco Leschuk appearing first in the rebound and firing it home to mark his first appearance for Shakhtar with a goal. The hosts tried to turn things around; however, it was Fred who missed an opportunity. He burst into the area, but the defender prevented him from slotting an accurate shot in. As late as in the first half stoppage time, Dentinho hit a dangerous shot at goal. The teams went into the break, with the Donetsk side taking a one-goal lead.
In the 53th minute, Shakhtar players went five-on-three through on Galicians’ goal, but Marlos played an overhit finishing pass
Second half
After the interval, injured Dentinho made way for Viktor Kovalenko. The opening stages of the second half saw regular attacking moves from the Pitmen putting pressure upfield. The visitors featured a close chance to double the score. Taison triggered an attack, which he decided to finish himself, with the Brazilian sending his hammer blow just over the crossbar. Before long, Ismaily took an incisive low cross, which was denied by the goalie. In the 53th minute, Shakhtar players went five-on-three through on Galicians’ goal, but Marlos played an overhit finishing pass. Midway through the second half, the hosts managed to get themselves back into the game, as the Pitmen made virtually no mistakes defensively. 6 minutes from time, Paulo Fonseca made second substitution to field Bernard in place of Taison. The the Donetsk team's No 10 revitalised the game by getting involved in a few dangerous attacking moves. Ultimately, Shakhtar sealed a 1-0 win.
The Europa League Round of 32 second leg will take place on February 23. The meeting is to be held at OSC Metalist, kicking off at 22:05. The tickets are available on general sale now.
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