Mettle in Belgium

Both sides were runners-up last season and now have to make it through two qualifying rounds to get to the group stage. Roberto De Zerbi made several changes in the starting lineup compared to the opening UPL games. So, the pairing of central defenders featured the Brazilians Marlon and Vitao, with Matviienko operating at left-back with the captain's armband on. Stepanenko and Patrick were missing in midfield, but Marcos Antonio and Pedrinho did appear there, plus Solomon and Tete operated as wingers.

Illogically conceded goal

The start of the match was cautious: the teams were clearly looking at each other and were not going to take any unnecessary risks. The Miners were the first to take the initiative. Tete's long-range attempt went wide, plus the host goalkeeper coped with Traore's effort from outside the penalty area. Midway through the first half, the Belgian goalkeeper once again rescued his team by turning Solomon’s effort for a corner, and then the defender did not allow Tete to score after linking up with Traore. The Genk footballers created next to no chances, but they skilfully used their chance and opened the scoring in the 39th minute: Onuachu was the tallest in the penalty area and headed home a delivery from the right.

Winning through mettle

Early in the second half, the rivals exchanged scoring chances. At first, the teammates freed some space for Maycon just for him to send the ball from an excellent position over the crossbar. A minute later, Trubin's skill rescued the Donetsk side from Onuachu’s point-blank attempt. The visitors continued charging forward and persistently looking for a chance near the Belgians’ goal, and in the 63rd minute they achieved their goal: Muñoz fouled on Pedrinho in the penalty area, and Tete converted the spot-kick by hitting the right corner of the net, making it 1-1. The scorer and captain Matviienko was immediately replaced by Ismaily and Marlos who were destined to become the heroes of the match ending. However, before that, Trubin once again helped the Miners by parrying away a dangerous free-kick. The experienced Miners had their say in the 81st minute: Marlos delivered an amazing high cross to the left corner of the goal area, Ismaily volleyed it along the goalline, and the onrushing Alan Patrick hammered the ball into the back of the net to bring the Miners victory!

2-1 - Shakhtar won in Belgium. Now everything will be decided in the second leg: at 20:30 on August 10, the Miners will host Genk in Kyiv. Tickets for this game as well as for the UPL clash vs Oleksandriia that kicks off at 19:30 at the NSC Olimpiyskiy this Saturday of August 7, are on sale now.

Genk 1-2 (1-0) Shakhtar Donetsk

Genk, Genk Arena, att: 5,096

Goals: 1-0 Onuachu (39’), 1-1 Tete (63’, pen), 1-2 Patrick (81’)

Shakhtar: Trubin, Dodo, Vitao, Marlon, Matviienko (c) (Marlos, 64’), Maycon, Marcos (Stepanenko, 73’), Tete (Ismaily, 64’), Pedrinho, Solomon (Patrick, 46’), Traore (Dentinho, 86’)