Pre-season test

The starting lineup of Roberto De Zerbi’s side featured the Ukrainian-Brazilian defensive third including Dodo, Marlon, Matviienko and Korniienko. Midfield saw the Stepanenko - Maycon - Alan Patrick trident operating, with wingers Solomon and Pedrinho along with centre-forward Traore being responsible for attacking.

Total dominance

The first half was overwhelmingly dominated by the Miners who enjoyed nearly full possession of the ball, created a dozen scoring chances and, as a result, demolished the opponents even before the break. Already in the 8th minute, Pedrinho sent Solomon's cross inside the far post and opened the scoring – 1-0. After that, Matyazh blocked Maycon's effort, with Fedorivskyi palming off Patrick's shot over the crossbar. The Miners managed to double the advantage in the 18th minute: Manor Solomon played one-two with Traore, sent the goalie the wrong way and hit the near corner – 2-0. The Israeli player could immediately score a double, but this time the goalkeeper rescued the Kyivites by clearing a dangerous low ball. Manor created another chance for Pedrinho, however, the Brazilian’s effort went inches high. But in the 37th minute, it was Solomon who launched the attack that was developed by Patrick and Pedrinho and brilliantly finished off by Maycon to make it 3-0. A minute later, the fourth goal hit the back of the opposing net. The goalkeeper parried away the attempt of the ubiquitous Solomon, with Lassina Traore being the first on the ball to flick it home. 4-0.

Different lineups

In the second half, Shakhtar fielded a completely different lineup dominated by young players and reinforced by the experienced Pyatov and Dentinho. And just two minutes into the second half, they notched up another goal. Andrii Buleza burst into the penalty area and found Mudryk with a pass, with the latter feeding Artem Bondarenko who converted his chance – 5-0. Right then, Buleza could have provided an assist, but the Kyiv goalkeeper reached for Konoplya’s attempt to make a clearance. The Miners continued to attack and create some great scoring opportunities. Dentinho produced two dangerous efforts: on the first occasion it was the goalkeeper who rescued his side, in the second case the ball whizzed just inches off the goalpost. Bondarenko's attempt was blocked by a defender, and Mudryk's shot narrowly missed the target. Midway through the second half, Obolon started operating a little more courageously: for instance, Batalskyi was close to scoring but for his wide header. And in the end, Dentinho missed a couple of chances after hitting the goalkeeper and sending it wide. As a result, the Orange-and-Blacks won their final friendly 5-0.

On July 24, Shakhtar will open the new UPL season with a first-round duel vs Inhulets. The meeting at the NSC Olimpiyskiy starts at 19:30. Match tickets and season tickets are on sale now.

Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 (4-0) Obolon Kyiv

Kyiv, NSC Olimpiyskiy

Goals: 1-0 Pedrinho (8’), 2-0 Solomon (18’), 3-0 Maycon (37’), 4-0 Traore (38’), 5-0 Bondarenko (47’)

Shakhtar, 1st half: Trubin, Dodo, Marlon, Matviienko, Korniienko, Maycon, Stepanenko (c), Pedrinho, Patrick, Solomon, Traore

Shakhtar, 2nd half: Pyatov, Vitao, Konoplya, Mampassi, Buleza, Marcos, Tete, Bondarenko, Mudryk, Sudakov, Dentinho