Through to the UECL Round of 16!
Thursday, December 18, 2025
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Shakhtar hosted Croatian side Rijeka in the UEFA Conference League league phase round 6 in Kraków
Head coach of the Orange-and-Blacks Arda Turan selected the following line-up for the final match of the year: Fesiun was in goal, Matviienko and Bondar played at centre-back, Vinicius Tobias and Pedro Henrique were on the defensive flanks, Nazaryna, Ocheretko and Marlon Gomes operated in midfield, with a triangle of Pedrinho, Newertton and Eguinaldo operating in attack.
The game was under control, but goalless at half-time
From the first minutes, the Miners, as usual, played on top and already had a few good opportunities early on: Marlon Gomes received a pass from Pedro Henrique and shot from the centre of the box – straight to the goalkeeper, while Ocheretko’s effort towards the right post was turned behind for a corner by the visiting keeper. In the 12th minute, an unfortunate incident occurred: Marlon Gomes picked up an injury, and Lucas came on to replace him. By the middle of the half, frequent stoppages had noticeably slowed the tempo, but Arda Turan’s side continued to fully control the match. Nazaryna tried to make an impact with his signature free-kick, but the ball flew past the target. The Croatians were unable to create a single dangerous moment near Fesiun’s goal, so the teams went into the break goalless.
Game dominance but a draw in the end
The second half started much more actively, with the teams exchanging chances early on: Eguinaldo fired from the right edge of the box towards the near post – the keeper saved Rijeka, and Adu-Ajey could have capitalised on an interception in response, but his shot went just past the post. Shortly after, Eguinaldo had another opportunity, heading a free-kick delivery – once again denied by Zlomislic. The Orange-and-Blacks continued to dominate possession (over 70% after the break), but their combinations in the final third lacked sharpness and a decisive pass. In one moment, Lucas could have gone through on goal but was caught offside. Towards the end of the match, the Pitmen’s coaching staff tried to inject fresh energy into the attack with substitutions, bringing on Meirelles, Isaque and Kryskiv. Eguinaldo had a chance to snatch a late win – the Brazilian met a cross from the right flank at the far post, but failed to hit the target. 0-0 – a draw in the match between Shakhtar and Rijeka.
Arda Turan’s team finished sixth in the final standings of the UEFA Conference League league phase with 13 points and will begin the play-offs from the round of 16 in the spring.
This concludes the football calendar year for the Miners. The team are going on holiday and will begin preparing for the second half of the season in January.
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 (0-0) Rijeka
Kraków, Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana, att.: 4,637
Shakhtar: Fesiun, Vinicius Tobias, Matviienko (c), Bondar, Pedro Henrique, Nazaryna, Ocheretko, Marlon Gomes (Lucas, 12′), Pedrinho (Kryskiv, 89′), Newertton (Meirelles, 84′), Eguinaldo (Isaque, 89′)
The game was under control, but goalless at half-time
From the first minutes, the Miners, as usual, played on top and already had a few good opportunities early on: Marlon Gomes received a pass from Pedro Henrique and shot from the centre of the box – straight to the goalkeeper, while Ocheretko’s effort towards the right post was turned behind for a corner by the visiting keeper. In the 12th minute, an unfortunate incident occurred: Marlon Gomes picked up an injury, and Lucas came on to replace him. By the middle of the half, frequent stoppages had noticeably slowed the tempo, but Arda Turan’s side continued to fully control the match. Nazaryna tried to make an impact with his signature free-kick, but the ball flew past the target. The Croatians were unable to create a single dangerous moment near Fesiun’s goal, so the teams went into the break goalless.
Game dominance but a draw in the end
The second half started much more actively, with the teams exchanging chances early on: Eguinaldo fired from the right edge of the box towards the near post – the keeper saved Rijeka, and Adu-Ajey could have capitalised on an interception in response, but his shot went just past the post. Shortly after, Eguinaldo had another opportunity, heading a free-kick delivery – once again denied by Zlomislic. The Orange-and-Blacks continued to dominate possession (over 70% after the break), but their combinations in the final third lacked sharpness and a decisive pass. In one moment, Lucas could have gone through on goal but was caught offside. Towards the end of the match, the Pitmen’s coaching staff tried to inject fresh energy into the attack with substitutions, bringing on Meirelles, Isaque and Kryskiv. Eguinaldo had a chance to snatch a late win – the Brazilian met a cross from the right flank at the far post, but failed to hit the target. 0-0 – a draw in the match between Shakhtar and Rijeka.
Arda Turan’s team finished sixth in the final standings of the UEFA Conference League league phase with 13 points and will begin the play-offs from the round of 16 in the spring.
This concludes the football calendar year for the Miners. The team are going on holiday and will begin preparing for the second half of the season in January.
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 (0-0) Rijeka
Kraków, Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana, att.: 4,637
Shakhtar: Fesiun, Vinicius Tobias, Matviienko (c), Bondar, Pedro Henrique, Nazaryna, Ocheretko, Marlon Gomes (Lucas, 12′), Pedrinho (Kryskiv, 89′), Newertton (Meirelles, 84′), Eguinaldo (Isaque, 89′)
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