We are the champions!

Head coach of the Orange-and-Blacks Marino Pusic chose the following starting line-up for the main game of the season: Riznyk played in the goal, Matviienko and Bondar appeared in the centre of defence, Konoplia and Azarov acted on the defensive wings, Kryskiv, Bondarenko and Sudakov played in the middle of the field, Kevin and Zubkov acted as wingers, and Sikan had a central forward position.

The first symbolic kick was performed by veteran Ruslana Danilkina, who volunteered to defend our country at the age of 18. At the beginning of last year, Ruslana came under enemy artillery fire and was severely wounded in the Kherson-bound direction. After the difficult rehabilitation, the girl not only did not give up, but also started helping other injured people as part of the team of the Superhumans rehabilitation and prosthetics centre.

Sudakov’s golden goal

Shakhtar had a game advantage from the beginning of the meeting and tried to act as leaders. In the beginning, Kryskiv, Sudakov and Azarov made dangerous shots, and Sikan created the best opportunity when he shot into the far corner after a scoop turn (Bushchan took the ball). The visiting team responded with a powerful shot by Kabaiev – in this case Riznyk demonstrated his level and saved the team. In the middle of the half, there was more positional struggle on the field than creativity, but after one of the attacks, the Miners managed to score. Kevin made a cross to the centre of the penalty area, Sikan shot and the ball hit Vivcharenko’s arm – the referee awarded a spot-kick after reviewing the VAR. Heorhii Sudakov perfectly converted the spot-kick with a shot into the left bottom corner and opened the scoring in the 33rd minute – 1-0. Kyiv team immediately had a chance to fight back, but Tymchyk’s long-range shot was again saved by Riznyk, and Shaparenko failed to hit the target while pursuing rebounds. The teams left for a break with a minimal advantage of the Orange-and-Blacks.

We kept the victory and won our 15th title

Dynamo started the second half of the match more actively: Bondar blocked Vanat’s shot, and then stopped Kabaiev’s short cut in the tackle, same Kabaiev made a long-range shot above the target. After an hour of the game, Marino Pusic made the first substitutions, fielding Stepanenko and Traore, and later strengthened the defence with experienced Rakitskyi. And Kyiv team continued to move forward and created really dangerous moments: Popov headed the ball after a corner, but Riznyk reacted and pulled the ball out from under the post, and then the goalkeeper of Miners saved Vanat’s long-range attempt. The Orange-and-Blacks also tried to catch the opponent during quick attacks: in one of these, Kevin played one-two with Traore and aimed at the far corner with a curved shot – in centimetres from the right post. Brazhko and Popov immediately responded with their own chances – both attempts were above the goal. Marlon Gomes and Eguinaldo appeared for Shakhtar in the final minutes, but the last moment in the match was created by another Brazilian: Kevin rushed through the left wing and rolled the ball for a shot to Traore, but the Burkinian missed the top corner. The Miners defended themselves reliably in the endgame and did not allow the opponent to organise the final attack.

1-0 – Shakhtar defeated Dynamo and won the 2023/24 Ukrainian League title early with a 7-point gap, 2 rounds before the end of the championship!

Already on Wednesday, Marino Pusic’s team will play a match for the second trophy of the season. On May 15, Shakhtar and Vorskla will meet in the final of the Ukrainian Cup in Rivne. The game at the Avanhard stadium will kick off at 19:00.

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 (1-0) Dynamo Kyiv

Lviv, Arena Lviv, 1,320 spectators

Goal: 1-0 Sudakov (33′, pen.)

Shakhtar: Riznyk, Konoplia, Bondar, Matviienko (c), Azarov (Rakitskyi, 72′), Kryskiv, Bondarenko (Stepanenko, 61′), Sudakov (Marlon Gomes, 84′), Zubkov (Eguinaldo, 84′), Kevin, Sikan (Traore, 61′)