Match report
Monday, November 20, 2023
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Ukraine national team faced Italy national team in the decisive Euro 2024 qualifier
The Ukrainians needed to defeat their opponents at BayArena in Leverkusen in order to advance to the European Championship. The starting line-up of the Blue-and-Yellows included 3 Shakhtar players: Yukhym Konoplia on the right defensive wing, Taras Stepanenko with the captain’s armband in the centre of the field and Heorhii Sudakov in the inside-right position.
In the beginning, the teams exchanged dangerous shots: Tsyhankov shot into the goalkeeper’s hands, and Chiesa sent the ball over the crossbar. Sudakov had a chance to open the scoring, but the Miner’s long-range shot under the left post was saved by Donnarumma. In the middle of the half, the Italians created a series of opportunities: the shots by Barella and Frattesi were saved by Trubin, and Di Lorenzo missed the target twice from advantageous positions. Sudakov created another good opportunity for his teammate with a cross into the penalty area, but Mudryk did not manage to respond to the pass.
The start of the second half turned out to be more cautious and lacked sharp moments, but in the middle of the half the Ukrainians had chances to score. First, Konoplia threw the ball in to Mudryk in the penalty area, but Mykhailo shot into Donnarumma from a tight angle, then Tsyhankov and Dovbyk tried to lead Sudakov to a shot with a spectacular combination, but the ball did not reach Heorhii. In the final 10 minutes, the coaching staff of the Blue-and-Yellows tried to strengthen the attack with a series of substitutions, fielding 2 Miners among others: Oleksandr Zubkov and Danylo Sikan. Sudakov could score a very important goal – his shot from outside the penalty area was saved by the goalkeeper of the visiting team. In the added time, Mudryk fell in the penalty area after contact with Darmian, but the referee did not record the violation, and Sikan had the last chance to bring victory, but his shot from the right edge of the penalty area was blocked.
0-0 – Ukraine national team finished third in their qualifying group, letting Italy advance to the European Championship.
Serhii Rebrov’s team will now have a chance to compete for the Euro 2024 berth through the UEFA Nations League play-offs. The Ukrainians will find out their opponents in the semi-finals on November 23, and the games will take place in March next year.
In the beginning, the teams exchanged dangerous shots: Tsyhankov shot into the goalkeeper’s hands, and Chiesa sent the ball over the crossbar. Sudakov had a chance to open the scoring, but the Miner’s long-range shot under the left post was saved by Donnarumma. In the middle of the half, the Italians created a series of opportunities: the shots by Barella and Frattesi were saved by Trubin, and Di Lorenzo missed the target twice from advantageous positions. Sudakov created another good opportunity for his teammate with a cross into the penalty area, but Mudryk did not manage to respond to the pass.
The start of the second half turned out to be more cautious and lacked sharp moments, but in the middle of the half the Ukrainians had chances to score. First, Konoplia threw the ball in to Mudryk in the penalty area, but Mykhailo shot into Donnarumma from a tight angle, then Tsyhankov and Dovbyk tried to lead Sudakov to a shot with a spectacular combination, but the ball did not reach Heorhii. In the final 10 minutes, the coaching staff of the Blue-and-Yellows tried to strengthen the attack with a series of substitutions, fielding 2 Miners among others: Oleksandr Zubkov and Danylo Sikan. Sudakov could score a very important goal – his shot from outside the penalty area was saved by the goalkeeper of the visiting team. In the added time, Mudryk fell in the penalty area after contact with Darmian, but the referee did not record the violation, and Sikan had the last chance to bring victory, but his shot from the right edge of the penalty area was blocked.
0-0 – Ukraine national team finished third in their qualifying group, letting Italy advance to the European Championship.
Serhii Rebrov’s team will now have a chance to compete for the Euro 2024 berth through the UEFA Nations League play-offs. The Ukrainians will find out their opponents in the semi-finals on November 23, and the games will take place in March next year.