Shakhtar vs Sheriff: match report
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
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Shakhtar hosted Sheriff in the 6th round of the UEFA Champions League group stage
This match was of no competitive value for the sides, and therefore Roberto De Zerbi, just as he had promised, carried out a major rotation of the roster. Pyatov took the place between the sticks; Kryvtsov, Bondar and Korniienko appeared at the back; the young Bondarenko and Sudakov played in midfield from the off with the support of experienced Marlos, with Fernando resuming the centre-forward role.
Many chances and just one goal
In the opening stages, the Miners unleashed all of their attacking power on the opposing goal. In the opening minutes, following a corner kick, Bondar’s header went high, with Solomon being close to bending it inside the top fight corner in his signature style. Attempts by Bondarenko and Dodo lacked precision, plus midway through the first half the active Manor took over the course of play again, but this time his effort was denied by the crosspiece. The Tiraspol outfit responded with a long-range effort by Cristiano (high) and Thill's attempt (wide). And yet, three minutes away from half-time, the hosts managed to open the scoring: Kryvtsov crossed the ball into the penalty area to Fernando in style, with the Brazilian adjusting the ball with the first touch and sending it inside the far post with the second one, making it 1-0. Right then, the Orange-and-Blacks came up with a few more opportunities: Fernando failed to hit the ball by attempting an overhead-kick close to the goal area, Dodo’s whipping shot hit the crossbar, and Solomon again aimed at the top right corner only to see the ball whizz just inches off the goalpost.
Unexpected denouement
In the second half, Tete and Mudryk came on for Fernando and Sudakov. The Brazilian immediately made himself noticed by a long-ranger from outside the penalty area – the goalkeeper caught the ball at the left post. Sheriff showed their teeth through distant attempts by Bruno (next to the crosspiece) and Thill (ricochet and corner). Another excellent chance for Tete was created by Marlos, but the young winger seent it somewhat wide, while Mudryk's slaloming run down the left semi-flank was crowned with his shot on target, with Athanasiadis making a save. Midway through the second half, after another double substitution, Ismaily and Maycon appeared on the field. By that time, the teams had slowed down and the game had also calmed down. In the dying stages, Roberto De Zerbi decided to replace the goalkeeper by fielding Oleksii Shevchenko. The goalkeeper immediately blended in the action and parried away Traore's challenging shot. But the stopper still failed to mark his debut with a clean sheet: in the third stoppage minute, the delivery into the home penalty area ended in Bruno feeding Nikolov who, on his second attempt, drilled the ball into the back of the net, levelling the scores. 1-1 – Shakhtar finished their European campaign.
On Saturday December 11, the Miners will play the final match this year. In the UPL round 18, Roberto De Zerbi's men will play Oleksandriia away. The meeting kicks off at the Nika stadium at 14:00.
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 (1-0) Sheriff Tiraspol
Kyiv, NSC Olimpiyskiy, att: 6,841
Goals: 1-0 Fernando (42’), 1-1 Nikolov (90+3’)
Shakhtar: Pyatov (c) (Shevchenko 86’), Dodo, Kryvtsov, Bondar, Korniienko (Ismaily 67'), Bondarenko (Maycon 67'), Marcos, Marlos, Sudakov (Tete 46’), Solomon, Fernando (Mudryk 46’)
More details are available in the match centre.
Many chances and just one goal
In the opening stages, the Miners unleashed all of their attacking power on the opposing goal. In the opening minutes, following a corner kick, Bondar’s header went high, with Solomon being close to bending it inside the top fight corner in his signature style. Attempts by Bondarenko and Dodo lacked precision, plus midway through the first half the active Manor took over the course of play again, but this time his effort was denied by the crosspiece. The Tiraspol outfit responded with a long-range effort by Cristiano (high) and Thill's attempt (wide). And yet, three minutes away from half-time, the hosts managed to open the scoring: Kryvtsov crossed the ball into the penalty area to Fernando in style, with the Brazilian adjusting the ball with the first touch and sending it inside the far post with the second one, making it 1-0. Right then, the Orange-and-Blacks came up with a few more opportunities: Fernando failed to hit the ball by attempting an overhead-kick close to the goal area, Dodo’s whipping shot hit the crossbar, and Solomon again aimed at the top right corner only to see the ball whizz just inches off the goalpost.
Unexpected denouement
In the second half, Tete and Mudryk came on for Fernando and Sudakov. The Brazilian immediately made himself noticed by a long-ranger from outside the penalty area – the goalkeeper caught the ball at the left post. Sheriff showed their teeth through distant attempts by Bruno (next to the crosspiece) and Thill (ricochet and corner). Another excellent chance for Tete was created by Marlos, but the young winger seent it somewhat wide, while Mudryk's slaloming run down the left semi-flank was crowned with his shot on target, with Athanasiadis making a save. Midway through the second half, after another double substitution, Ismaily and Maycon appeared on the field. By that time, the teams had slowed down and the game had also calmed down. In the dying stages, Roberto De Zerbi decided to replace the goalkeeper by fielding Oleksii Shevchenko. The goalkeeper immediately blended in the action and parried away Traore's challenging shot. But the stopper still failed to mark his debut with a clean sheet: in the third stoppage minute, the delivery into the home penalty area ended in Bruno feeding Nikolov who, on his second attempt, drilled the ball into the back of the net, levelling the scores. 1-1 – Shakhtar finished their European campaign.
On Saturday December 11, the Miners will play the final match this year. In the UPL round 18, Roberto De Zerbi's men will play Oleksandriia away. The meeting kicks off at the Nika stadium at 14:00.
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 (1-0) Sheriff Tiraspol
Kyiv, NSC Olimpiyskiy, att: 6,841
Goals: 1-0 Fernando (42’), 1-1 Nikolov (90+3’)
Shakhtar: Pyatov (c) (Shevchenko 86’), Dodo, Kryvtsov, Bondar, Korniienko (Ismaily 67'), Bondarenko (Maycon 67'), Marcos, Marlos, Sudakov (Tete 46’), Solomon, Fernando (Mudryk 46’)
More details are available in the match centre.