Shakhtar – Lyon: match report
Thursday, December 13, 2018
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Shakhtar hosted Lyon in the UEFA Champions League round 6
It was a meeting between contenders for the second knockout phase berth in Group F. The Miners (5 points) needed only a victory to reach the next round, with a draw being enough for the French (7 points). Marlos returned to Shakhtar’s starting XI, with the recovered Yaroslav Rakits’kyy being ready to enter the play off the bench. In his absence, Sergii Kryvtsov and David Khocholava formed a pairing of central defenders, with Mykola Matviienko playing at right back.
Junior’s chance and Pyatov’s reliability
A cautious start to the game, with both sides treasuring the ball and being in no hurry to take risks, was relevant right through the middle of the half. Although the French created the first scoring opportunities (Fekir’s curled shot went wide of the bar, with Pyatov not allowing Traore to score after a one-on-one situation), it was the Miners who opened the scoring: in the 22nd minute, Ismaily found Moraes in the goal area with his perfect pass, and Junior sent the ball right into the far corner, making it 1-0. Lyon responded with ball control, but all they managed to create was just a few consecutive wide long-range attempt, of which only Depay’s cannon effort could be called dangerous, with the ball whizzing just inches off the post. Another threat occurred in the hosts’ penalty area in injury time: Mendy missed the open corner, with Andriy Pyatov flashing his superb reflexes by two saves. Shakhtar left for the break being on top.
They fought to the bitter end
The debut of the second half was marked by Bohdan Butko’s appearance (instead of Khocholava), and by the developments in the visitors' penalty area: Moraes’ attempt hit Denayer's hand, but the referee did not notice that. Lyon gradually won the midfield and began to put pressure on the Miners’ defensive third, eventually achieving their goal: in the 65th minute, Depay fed Fekir in the box, with the latter beating an opponent and hammering the ball right into the corner. This goal completely changed the situation on the field. Paulo Fonseca’s men rushed forward to attack, while the Kids dropped deep down. Denayer prevented Kovalenko’s shot with a sliding tackle, with Lopes neutralising a burst by Ismaily. In the end, the fresh Kayode and Bolbat came on, and the Nigerian tried a bicycle kick immediately after a corner but missed the ball. Larry made another attempt from the edge of the box - just wide. The visitors put to waste the four stoppage minutes by stopping the game, securing a 1-1 draw.
This was Shakhtar’s last game in 2018. Paulo Fonseca’s team are leaving for the winter break as the league leaders, and in February they will continue their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League.
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 (1-0) Lyon
Kyiv, NSC Olimpiyskiy, att: 38,916
Goals: 1-0 Moraes (22’), 1-1 Fekir (65’)
Shakhtar: Pyatov, Matviienko, Khocholava (Butko, 46’), Kryvtsov, Ismaily, Maycon, Stepanenko, Marlos (Bolbat, 87’), Kovalenko (Kayode, 83’), Taison (c), Moraes
Find more details in the match centre.
Junior’s chance and Pyatov’s reliability
A cautious start to the game, with both sides treasuring the ball and being in no hurry to take risks, was relevant right through the middle of the half. Although the French created the first scoring opportunities (Fekir’s curled shot went wide of the bar, with Pyatov not allowing Traore to score after a one-on-one situation), it was the Miners who opened the scoring: in the 22nd minute, Ismaily found Moraes in the goal area with his perfect pass, and Junior sent the ball right into the far corner, making it 1-0. Lyon responded with ball control, but all they managed to create was just a few consecutive wide long-range attempt, of which only Depay’s cannon effort could be called dangerous, with the ball whizzing just inches off the post. Another threat occurred in the hosts’ penalty area in injury time: Mendy missed the open corner, with Andriy Pyatov flashing his superb reflexes by two saves. Shakhtar left for the break being on top.
They fought to the bitter end
The debut of the second half was marked by Bohdan Butko’s appearance (instead of Khocholava), and by the developments in the visitors' penalty area: Moraes’ attempt hit Denayer's hand, but the referee did not notice that. Lyon gradually won the midfield and began to put pressure on the Miners’ defensive third, eventually achieving their goal: in the 65th minute, Depay fed Fekir in the box, with the latter beating an opponent and hammering the ball right into the corner. This goal completely changed the situation on the field. Paulo Fonseca’s men rushed forward to attack, while the Kids dropped deep down. Denayer prevented Kovalenko’s shot with a sliding tackle, with Lopes neutralising a burst by Ismaily. In the end, the fresh Kayode and Bolbat came on, and the Nigerian tried a bicycle kick immediately after a corner but missed the ball. Larry made another attempt from the edge of the box - just wide. The visitors put to waste the four stoppage minutes by stopping the game, securing a 1-1 draw.
This was Shakhtar’s last game in 2018. Paulo Fonseca’s team are leaving for the winter break as the league leaders, and in February they will continue their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League.
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 (1-0) Lyon
Kyiv, NSC Olimpiyskiy, att: 38,916
Goals: 1-0 Moraes (22’), 1-1 Fekir (65’)
Shakhtar: Pyatov, Matviienko, Khocholava (Butko, 46’), Kryvtsov, Ismaily, Maycon, Stepanenko, Marlos (Bolbat, 87’), Kovalenko (Kayode, 83’), Taison (c), Moraes
Find more details in the match centre.