The year of trophies
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
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We continue recalling all of Shakhtar's title-winning seasons
The 2017/18 Championship was one of the most interesting and intense in recent years, with the medals’ future being decided in the final rounds. However, based on the season results, Paulo Fonseca’s men managed to secure the golden treble.
Team balance
Like the previous year, Shakhtar had minimal transfer activity, strengthening only a few positions. The leaving Oleksandr Kucher was replaced by the young Georgian centreback David Khocholava, with promising Brazilian Dodo and the Nigerian striker Olarenwaju Kayode also joining the Miners. At the same time, they managed to keep all the leading players who later became the team’s main driving force.
Team balance
Like the previous year, Shakhtar had minimal transfer activity, strengthening only a few positions. The leaving Oleksandr Kucher was replaced by the young Georgian centreback David Khocholava, with promising Brazilian Dodo and the Nigerian striker Olarenwaju Kayode also joining the Miners. At the same time, they managed to keep all the leading players who later became the team’s main driving force.
The season started for the Orange-and-Blacks with a Ukrainian Super Cup victory over Dynamo (2-0)
Tough start
The season started for the Orange-and-Blacks with a Ukrainian Super Cup victory over Dynamo (2-0), with Facundo Ferreyra immediately making himself known as one of the headliners of the year. The Argentinean scored the opener in his debut league appearance that saw the Miners demolish Vorskla (3-0). But already in the second round, the Donetsk team suffered a home defeat at the hands of Dynamo (0-1). The archrivals topped the table two more times before they dropped low after losing points in 5 games in a row.
Shakhtar took full advantage of their rivals’ crisis and extended the lead to 6 points by the winter break. It is worth recalling a spectacular comeback win at Zorya (3-1) and a vivid encounter with Vorskla (3-2) that gave the team some powerful emotional impetus.
Close finish
The Miners began the season’s second stage with 4 straight wins and an aggregate goal difference of 11-0. Another Ukrainian Clasico added more suspense to the title race: in the 27th round, Dynamo secured a victory and narrowed the gap to 3 points. However, at the finish, the Donetsk side’s nerves proved stronger: another 4 wins in a row made Paulo Fonseca’s team unattainable for the opponents.
In the final table, Shakhtar scored 75 points (goal difference of 71-24), getting 2 points clear of the Kyiv outfit. The Orange-and-Blacks secured their 11th league title, with their Ukrainian Cup final victory over the same Dynamo bringing them a golden treble!
The season started for the Orange-and-Blacks with a Ukrainian Super Cup victory over Dynamo (2-0), with Facundo Ferreyra immediately making himself known as one of the headliners of the year. The Argentinean scored the opener in his debut league appearance that saw the Miners demolish Vorskla (3-0). But already in the second round, the Donetsk team suffered a home defeat at the hands of Dynamo (0-1). The archrivals topped the table two more times before they dropped low after losing points in 5 games in a row.
Shakhtar took full advantage of their rivals’ crisis and extended the lead to 6 points by the winter break. It is worth recalling a spectacular comeback win at Zorya (3-1) and a vivid encounter with Vorskla (3-2) that gave the team some powerful emotional impetus.
Close finish
The Miners began the season’s second stage with 4 straight wins and an aggregate goal difference of 11-0. Another Ukrainian Clasico added more suspense to the title race: in the 27th round, Dynamo secured a victory and narrowed the gap to 3 points. However, at the finish, the Donetsk side’s nerves proved stronger: another 4 wins in a row made Paulo Fonseca’s team unattainable for the opponents.
In the final table, Shakhtar scored 75 points (goal difference of 71-24), getting 2 points clear of the Kyiv outfit. The Orange-and-Blacks secured their 11th league title, with their Ukrainian Cup final victory over the same Dynamo bringing them a golden treble!
Having defeated Dynamo Kyiv in the Ukrainian Cup final, Shakhtar won a golden treble
Heroes of the season
In the second season in a row, Paulo Fonseca led Shakhtar to the Ukrainian League triumph. With the Portuguese at the helm, the team won 5 of 6 trophies over 2 years, also reaching the Champions League knockout phase. This is the most powerful coaching start in the club’s entire history.
With the Portuguese at the helm, the team won 5 of 6 trophies over 2 years, also reaching the Champions League knockout phase
Shakhtar midfielder Marlos performed excellently that season, deservedly receiving the Player of the 2017/18 Season award. The Brazilian scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists, he was also recognized as Player of the Matchday on three occasions, plus it was his goal against Veres that turned to be title-winning.
At the same time, Marlos claimed the second position on the scorers list, with his teammate Facundo Ferreyra being the most prolific player in the league. The Argentine’s personal record is 21 goals in 30 games. With his goals, Chuki brought Shakhtar victories in the Cup final and in the domestic Super Cup.
The goalie Andriy Pyatov was again named the Best UPL Goalkeeper (31 apps, 15 clean sheets). The team’s leading defenders also helped him to achieve this result - the consistent Yaroslav Rakitskyy (23 apps) and the fulfilling Ismaily (29 apps, 3 goals). We cannot but mention the key role of the defensive midfielders: Fred and Taras Stepanenko made 52 appearances in total, forming an excellent midfield duo.
At the same time, Marlos claimed the second position on the scorers list, with his teammate Facundo Ferreyra being the most prolific player in the league. The Argentine’s personal record is 21 goals in 30 games. With his goals, Chuki brought Shakhtar victories in the Cup final and in the domestic Super Cup.
The goalie Andriy Pyatov was again named the Best UPL Goalkeeper (31 apps, 15 clean sheets). The team’s leading defenders also helped him to achieve this result - the consistent Yaroslav Rakitskyy (23 apps) and the fulfilling Ismaily (29 apps, 3 goals). We cannot but mention the key role of the defensive midfielders: Fred and Taras Stepanenko made 52 appearances in total, forming an excellent midfield duo.
This is a tough season: it’s been very emotional, with the last six weeks being really tense. But we won two trophies plus the Super Cup, so we can be content with it!
Facundo Ferreyra, Shakhtar striker in the 2017/18 season:
“We are very happy! This is a tough season: it’s been very emotional, with the last six weeks being really tense. But we won two trophies plus the Super Cup, so we can be content with it. I think we fulfilled the task for the season. I’m really delighted to have become the top scorer of the team and of the Ukrainian Premier League. But I pay attention not to the total number of goals, but to how much they helped Shakhtar. It was important to score in the Super Cup game, in the Ukrainian Cup final, in the Champions League. Those goals are really of great importance to me. Personal stats is a great thing. However, I feel very satisfied with the success of the club as a whole!”
“We are very happy! This is a tough season: it’s been very emotional, with the last six weeks being really tense. But we won two trophies plus the Super Cup, so we can be content with it. I think we fulfilled the task for the season. I’m really delighted to have become the top scorer of the team and of the Ukrainian Premier League. But I pay attention not to the total number of goals, but to how much they helped Shakhtar. It was important to score in the Super Cup game, in the Ukrainian Cup final, in the Champions League. Those goals are really of great importance to me. Personal stats is a great thing. However, I feel very satisfied with the success of the club as a whole!”
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