Shakhtar vs Olimpik: match report

March 17, 2017. Kharkiv. OSC Metalist. Attn: 3,836. 4^oC.

Goals: 0-1 Postupalenko (24), 1-1 Blanco Leschuk (45+2)

Shakhtar: Pyatov, Srna (c), Kryvtsov, Ordets, Ismaily, Stepanenko, Malyshev (Kovalenko, 71), Marlos, Taison, Bernard (Alan Patrick, 83) Blanco Leschuk (Ferreyra, 66)

Unused subs: Kudryk, Butko, Kucher, Azevedo

Head coach: Paulo Fonseca

Olimpik: Makharadze, Oleinyk (c), Hryshko, Illoi-Aiyet, Nemchaninov, Tsymbaliuk, Hoshkoderya, Hemeha (Fedoriv, 46), Postupalenko (Brikner, 34), Shestakov, Matyazh (Homutov, 88)

Unused subs: Kotlyarov, Kozlov, Zhurahivskyi, Serhiichuk

Head coach: Roman Sanzhar

Booked: Postupalenko (21), Bernard (36), Matyazh (62), Marlos (90+5), Fedoriv (90+5)

Referee: Yevhen Aranovskyi (Kyiv)

In the closing match of the Premier League first stage, the Pitmen took on the fifth league’s team in Kharkiv. Paulo Fonseca made three substitutions compared to the previous round: Yaroslav Rakits’kyy and Olexandr Kucher were replaced by a couple of central defenders Ivan Ordets and Sergii Kryvtsov, with Viktor Kovalenko making way for Maksym Malyshev in the role of defending midfielder. Andriy Pyatov has made his 335th appearance for Shakhtar, which allowed the Donetsk goalkeeper to claim the 8th spot in the guardsmen’ list throughout the entire club’s history.

From the starting whistle, players of both sides moved to Olimpik’s half of the field. Paulo Fonseca’s men controlled the possession for longer periods and launched set-play attacks. As soon as in the 6th minute, the Orange-and-Blacks could do the needful after a dangerous low cross from Ismaily, but Dmytro Nemchaninov spotted for the goalkeeper and his teammates. Before long an attack from the right flank came: Darijo Srna floated a pass for Taison, with the Brazilian sending his header wide. On 13 minutes, Olimpik responded. After playing a set piece, Andriy Pyatov parried Ivan Matyazh's blow from close range, and Ivan Ordets was there to deny the rebound by Illoi-Aiyet. Then the Pitmen fashioned three clear-cut opportunities straight away. Taison played a threatening cross, before Gustavo Blanco Leschuk kicked twice goalwards, with Bernard dragging his shot wide after a brisk counterattack. However, on 24 minutes Olimpik players took their chance to the fullest: following Shakhtar error, Anton Postupalenko rounded off teammates’ clever combo with a well-placed flick. The Orange-and-Blacks could deny an opener in no time. After Taison put in Gustavo Blanco Leschuk on opponents’ goal, the Argentine sent his chance wide. The Pitmen continued to maintain pressure and were on the front foot to create several scoring chances in the dying minutes of the first half. The Argentine finished the attacking move twice, but again missed the target. Yet in the injury time, Taison managed to fire a splendid blow to see the ball hitting the post to save the visitors.

The game pattern did not changed, except that the Orange-and-Blacks came to spend more time on the opponents’ half of the pitch. All Olimpik players dropped back to their own goal. Roman Sanzhar’s team produced a compact defensive performance, with the Pitmen having almost no free spaces. In the 66th minute, Paulo Fonseca replaced the forward, fielding Facundo Ferreyra in place of Gustavo Blanco Leschuk. A bit later Viktor Kovalenko emerged on the pitch in the position of Maksym Malyshev. Inside these moments, as well as throughout the match, Marlos stood out with his active display. He not only mustered attacking threats near Zauri Makharadze's goal by himself, but also created moments for his partners. The most threatening move came in the 75th minute, as he found an open space for Bernard and played a pass to him. Shakhtar number 10 kicked a volley only to see the Olimpik goalie clearing the ball away from the danger.

Shakhtar are to hold their next fixture on April 1. Following a break due to national teams matches, Shakhtar will kick off the second stage of the Ukrainian Premier League with the away match versus Luhansk-based Zorya.