Neres' first goals

Roberto De Zerbi has fielded in the starting line-up the same defensive third as in the previous two test games (Trubin, Dodo, Marlon, Matviienko, Ismaily), but continued trying different combinations in the midfield and attacking third: this time Maycon and Marcos Antonio made up a pairing of central midfielders, with Mudryk, Neres, Pedrinho and Moraes appearing in the attacking pack from the off.

Confident lead

The Miners clearly started the game more actively and after a short reconnaissance they quickly secured a two-goal lead. In the 13th minute, Maycon's excellent delivery was headed home by Mykhailo Mudryk who jumped out from behind the defender's back, making it 1-0. Five minutes later, the Ukrainian winger earned a free-kick, Maycon shattered the crossbar, and David Neres was the first on the ball to finish it off. 2-0 – the newcomer netted his debut goal for Shakhtar at the training camp! Mudryk continued testing the opposing defence: at first he was close to getting one on one with the keeper, and then he produced a dangerous cross that was denied by a defender. Late in the first half, the Belgrade team responded with great threats by Omoijuanfo, with Anatolii Trubin operating clinically on both occasions: he saved an attempt from the edge of the box before stopping a point-blank header a couple of minutes later.

Incredible developments

In the second half, De Zerbi almost completely changed the line-up, leaving only Trubin and Neres on the pitch (who ultimately became the Men of the Match), alongside Bondar who had come on as a sub before the break. The half began with pressure from the Serbs who immediately showed their desire to equalise. And in the 58th minute, Zrvena Zvezda managed to reduce the deficit: Sanogo hit the post following a corner-kick, and Dragovic successfully rounded off that episode. Ten minutes later, Dragovic acted as an assist provider when Omoijuanfo levelled the numbers on the scoreboard with his shot from the edge of the goal area. However, very soon the Miners regained their lead: David Neres sent a precision shot into the back of the net from the semi-circle in front of the box and grabbed a brace. The Serbs had a comeback chance after a penalty situation, but Trubin saved Pavkov’s powerful effort from the spot.

3-2 – Shakhtar rounded off their first training camp in Turkey with a spectacular win at Crvena Zvezda. On Tuesday, the team will return to Kyiv for a short while, and on February 6 they will go to Belek for the second stage of winter training.

Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 (2-0) Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade

Belek, Regnum Sport Center

Goals: 1-0 Mudryk (13’), 2-0 Neres (18’), 2-1 Dragovic (58’), 2-2 Omoijuanfo (68’), 3-2 Neres (72’)

Missed penalty: Pavkov (79’ goalkeeper save)

Shakhtar, 1st half: Trubin, Dodo, Marlon (Bondar 42’), Matviienko, Ismaily (c), Marcos, Maycon, Neres, Pedrinho, Mudryk, Moraes

Shakhtar, 2nd half: Trubin, Vinicius, Vitao, Bondar, Korniienko, Bondarenko, Stepanenko (c), Tete, Neres, Sudakov, Fernando