5 semifinal facts
Friday, August 14, 2020
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Shakhtar and Inter have already met in European competitions
Shakhtar's 3rd attempt
For the third time in their history, Shakhtar will play in the European competition semi-finals. In the 2008/09 season, the Miners beat Dynamo Kyiv on aggregate at the same UEFA Cup stage (1-1 away and 2-1 at home). Later, in Istanbul, they defeated Werder Bremen 2-1 in the final. However, in the 2015/16 Europa League semi-finals, the Orange-and-Blacks lost to Sevilla (2-2 at home, 1-3 away). For Internazionale, the game against Shakhtar will be their 15th European semifinal. Previously, the Nerazzurri reached the final on 9 occasions, failing to do so just 5 times.
In the 2008/09 season, the Miners beat Dynamo Kyiv on aggregate at the same UEFA Cup stage (1-1 away and 2-1 at home)
Head-to-head
The only meeting between Shakhtar and Internazionale took place in the Champions League third qualifying round back in 2005. In Donetsk on August 10, the Italians proved stronger after scoring 2 unanswered goals (Martins, 68’; Adriano, 78’). And in Milan a fortnight later, they registered a 1-1 draw. Alvaro Recoba sent one home from the edge of the box in the 13th minute, and 11 minutes later Elano turned Cipriano Marica's assist into a goal. By the way, the return leg was held behind closed doors - UEFA penalised Inter that way for their crowd disturbances in the match vs Milan in the previous Champions League campaign.
The only meeting between Shakhtar and Internazionale took place in the Champions League third qualifying round back in 2005
Pyatov's experience
7 Shakhtar footballers have experience of playing in the European club cup semi-finals. They are Andriy Pyatov, Taras Stepanenko, Marlos, Viktor Kovalenko, Taison, Dentinho and Ismaily. And only Andriy Pyatov took part in the two previous semi-finals.
Only Andriy Pyatov took part in the two previous semi-finals
Top scorer trials
The top scorer in Shakhtar’s current Europa League campaign is Junior Moraes (4 goals). The forward netted goals vs Basel (1) and Wolfsburg (3). Alan Patrick boasts 3 goals (2 vs Benfica and 1 vs Basel). Inter's attacking leader is Romelu Lukaku. This is the Belgian who netted goals vs Ludogorets (2), Getafe (1) and Bayer (1). By the way, Lukaku's Europa League scoring run totals 9 apps, taking into account his Everton spell.
The top scorer in Shakhtar’s current Europa League campaign is Junior Moraes (4 goals)
German balance
The special feature of the current semifinal is that it will take place on a neutral pitch in Dusseldorf. Previously, Shakhtar played 13 times in European competitions at the stadiums in Germany (including 2 away games vs Wolfsburg and Basel this season). The Orange-and-Blacks proved stronger in 6 matches, drawing once and losing 6 times. Inter played on German pitches on 22 occasions: 7 wins, 8 draws and 7 defeats.