Srna’s victorious debut
Saturday, October 21, 2023
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Shakhtar hosted LNZ in Lviv in the 11th round of the UPL
This match was the first for Darijo Srna as the caretaker coach of the Miners. The Croatian coach chose the following starting line-up for the first game: Riznyk played in the goal, Konoplia and Topalov were full-backs, Rakitskyi and Bondar, who played for the first time in almost 3 months, appeared in the centre of defence, Stepanenko, Bondarenko and Kryskiv acted in the middle of the field, Brazilian Newerton appeared on the left attacking wing, Zubkov played on the right, and Sikan was at the helm.
Game dominance and Sikan’s goal
The meeting started with a dangerous moment created by Shakhtar: Kryskiv curved the ball into the right corner after Newerton’s pass from outside the penalty area – Penkov cleared it, and Zubkov missed the target from the follow-up. Shakhtar continued to act aggressively in front, constantly keeping the defence of visiting team in play, and while Newerton headed the ball over the goal after Konoplia’s cross, in the 20th minute the score was opened: Zubkov shot from the right wing, Bondarenko missed the ball, and Danylo Sikan hit the crossbar with a well-placed kick – 1-0. Soon Topalov had a good chance to double the advantage, but his shot from the corner of the penalty area went past the far post. At the end of the half, Cherkasy team created chances to equalise the score, but the ball missed the post after Norenkov’s attempt, and Boiko’s long-range shot was saved by Riznyk.
Moments for different tastes and Kelsy’s brace
At the start of the second half, LNZ players created another sharp situation: Khoblenko was in front of the goal, but the ball flew over the crossbar. The Miners responded to this with a whole series of goal-scoring opportunities. First, Kryskiv broke away to meet the goalkeeper, but missed the far top corner, then Zubkov shot into the goal post of Cherkasy team in the another one-on-one, the next attempt by Kryskiv was saved by Penkov, Sikan’s close-range shot also hit the goalkeeper, and Selin rushed and turned Zubkov’s shot for a corner. Opponents had a chance as well, but Riznyk saved his team after Khoblenko’s shot under the crossbar. Meanwhile, Darijo Srna made substitutions, fielding Azarov and Sudakov, and releasing Kelsy a little later. The Venezuelan forward became the hero at the end of the match, having managed to net a brace. In the 84th minute, Bondarenko decided to perform a long-range shot, the ball hit the left post, and Kevin was the first to pursue rebounds – 2-0. And in the 90th minute, Konoplia passed from the right wing to the radius in front of the penalty area, and Kelsy shot powerfully into the far corner after a scoop turn.
3-0 – Shakhtar defeat LNZ in their first match under the guidance of Darijo Srna.
Next Wednesday, October 25, the Miners will play the away match of the Champions League group stage against Barcelona. It will kick off at 19:45 Kyiv time.
Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 (1-0) LNZ Cherkasy
Lviv, Arena Lviv, without spectators
Goals: 1-0 Sikan (20′), 2-0 Kelsy (84′), 3-0 Kelsy (90′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Konoplia, Bondar, Rakitskyi, Topalov (Azarov, 58′), Stepanenko (c) (Nazaryna, 86′), Bondarenko, Kryskiv (Eguinaldo, 86′), Zubkov, Newerton (Sudakov, 58′), Sikan (Kelsy, 75′)
Game dominance and Sikan’s goal
The meeting started with a dangerous moment created by Shakhtar: Kryskiv curved the ball into the right corner after Newerton’s pass from outside the penalty area – Penkov cleared it, and Zubkov missed the target from the follow-up. Shakhtar continued to act aggressively in front, constantly keeping the defence of visiting team in play, and while Newerton headed the ball over the goal after Konoplia’s cross, in the 20th minute the score was opened: Zubkov shot from the right wing, Bondarenko missed the ball, and Danylo Sikan hit the crossbar with a well-placed kick – 1-0. Soon Topalov had a good chance to double the advantage, but his shot from the corner of the penalty area went past the far post. At the end of the half, Cherkasy team created chances to equalise the score, but the ball missed the post after Norenkov’s attempt, and Boiko’s long-range shot was saved by Riznyk.
Moments for different tastes and Kelsy’s brace
At the start of the second half, LNZ players created another sharp situation: Khoblenko was in front of the goal, but the ball flew over the crossbar. The Miners responded to this with a whole series of goal-scoring opportunities. First, Kryskiv broke away to meet the goalkeeper, but missed the far top corner, then Zubkov shot into the goal post of Cherkasy team in the another one-on-one, the next attempt by Kryskiv was saved by Penkov, Sikan’s close-range shot also hit the goalkeeper, and Selin rushed and turned Zubkov’s shot for a corner. Opponents had a chance as well, but Riznyk saved his team after Khoblenko’s shot under the crossbar. Meanwhile, Darijo Srna made substitutions, fielding Azarov and Sudakov, and releasing Kelsy a little later. The Venezuelan forward became the hero at the end of the match, having managed to net a brace. In the 84th minute, Bondarenko decided to perform a long-range shot, the ball hit the left post, and Kevin was the first to pursue rebounds – 2-0. And in the 90th minute, Konoplia passed from the right wing to the radius in front of the penalty area, and Kelsy shot powerfully into the far corner after a scoop turn.
3-0 – Shakhtar defeat LNZ in their first match under the guidance of Darijo Srna.
Next Wednesday, October 25, the Miners will play the away match of the Champions League group stage against Barcelona. It will kick off at 19:45 Kyiv time.
Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 (1-0) LNZ Cherkasy
Lviv, Arena Lviv, without spectators
Goals: 1-0 Sikan (20′), 2-0 Kelsy (84′), 3-0 Kelsy (90′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Konoplia, Bondar, Rakitskyi, Topalov (Azarov, 58′), Stepanenko (c) (Nazaryna, 86′), Bondarenko, Kryskiv (Eguinaldo, 86′), Zubkov, Newerton (Sudakov, 58′), Sikan (Kelsy, 75′)
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