Turan's beautiful debut
Thursday, July 10, 2025
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Shakhtar hosted Finnish side Ilves in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round match in Ljubljana
This match marked Arda Turan’s official debut as Shakhtar head coach. The manager of the Miners chose the following line-up: Riznyk was in goal, Matviienko and Bondar operated in central defence; Konoplia and Pedro Henrique played as fullbacks, Marlon Gomes, Bondarenko and Sudakov formed the midfield; with attacking trio of Kevin, Alisson and Kaua Elias, for whom this was their European competition debut.
Shakhtar dominated, with Alisson and Kaua Elias scoring goals
The Pitmen took clear control of the game from the very first minutes and quickly created many promising chances. Bondarenko’s pass into the centre of the penalty area brought Kaua Elias through on target, he skilfully outplayed the defender but missed. Alisson also headed just wide after a flank cross from Pedro Henrique. The best opportunity in this period fell to Konoplia, who, after a cross from Kevin, took the ball onto his foot at the right edge of the box and fired powerfully into the far top corner – the Finns were saved by the crossbar. Sudakov had a chance as well, but after being fed by Alisson, he sent the ball flying over the goal from close range. Still, the pressure from the Orange-and-Blacks paid off, and in the 26th minute, the hosts opened the scoring: Alisson intercepted the ball on the right flank, played one-two with Kevin, burst through the centre into the box and beat the goalkeeper, making it 1-0. Kaua Elias could have doubled the lead a few minutes later, as Sudakov threaded a fine pass to him, but the Brazilian striker hit the goalkeeper from close range. In the next attack, Kaua Elias made a long-range effort – again, Virtanen saved it. Sudakov attempted a similar strike towards the near post, missing by mere centimetres. A great chance near the end of the half was created by Pedro Henrique, who won the ball on the left flank and sent a brilliant diagonal pass to Alisson, the latter lobbed the keeper, but the Tampere side defender cleared the ball for a corner. From that corner, in the 43rd minute, came the second goal: Alisson delivered a cross to the edge of the goal area, and Kaua Elias jumped highest to head it into the far corner – 2-0.
Brace and three assists from Alisson, goals by Kevin, Pedrinho and Newertton – a demolition job
The break did not changed the attacking mood of Arda Turan’s team, and immediately after the resumption of the game, the Pitmen scored their third goal. In the 48th minute, a long pass from deep reached Alisson, who pushed off a defender in the box and beat the goalkeeper through a low shot, making it 3-0. Shortly after, Bondarenko found himself in a similar situation but narrowly missed the far top corner with a right-footed shot in a challenge with Virtanen. The first substitutions for the Miners came in the 58th minute: Ocheretko and Pedrinho appeared on the pitch. Meanwhile, Ilves players grew more active, orchestrating several dangerous attacks in the middle of the second half: Stjopin fired a shot from the goal area corner just wide of the post, while Jukkola and Veteli also failed to hit the target in their attempts. Shakhtar coaching staff refreshed the team with further substitutions, bringing on Vinicius Tobias and Newertton. Soon after, the Orange-and-Blacks scored their fourth goal: in the 74th minute, Ocheretko set up Alisson, but the Finnish goalkeeper saved his shot, however Kevin was there to finish it off – 4-0. After that, the game calmed down a bit, although the hosts continued to control the situation. In the 85th minute, there was another substitution – birthday boy Yehor Nazaryna, who turned 28 today, came onto the pitch. In the closing stages, the Miners inflicted total devastation on their opponents. In the 88th minute, Alisson challenged for the ball on the right flank and passed to Pedrinho, who fired a spectacular shot – 5-0. And at the 89th minute, Newertton received a pass on the left edge of the penalty area and scored from a tight angle under the near post, making it 6-0. In the final seconds, the opponents could have broken the deadlock, but Riznyk kept a clean sheet with a double save.
6-0 – Shakhtar confidently defeated Finnish Ilves in the first match of the European season and Arda Turan’s debut game as head coach.
The return match will take place in Tampere, Finland, in a week, on July 17. The clash will be held at the Tammelan Stadion, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 local time. Tickets for away section for Shakhtar fans are on sale.
Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0 (2-0) Ilves Tampere
Ljubljana, Stožice, att.: 1,842
Goals: 1-0 Alisson (26′), 2-0 Kaua Elias (43′), 3-0 Alisson (48′), 4-0 Kevin (74′), 5-0 Pedrinho (88′), 6-0 Newertton (89′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Konoplia (Vinicius Tobias, 72′), Bondar, Matviienko (c), Pedro Henrique, Marlon Gomes (Nazaryna, 85′), Bondarenko (Predrinho, 58′), Sudakov (Ocheretko, 58′), Alisson, Kevin, Kaua Elias (Newertton, 72′)
Shakhtar dominated, with Alisson and Kaua Elias scoring goals
The Pitmen took clear control of the game from the very first minutes and quickly created many promising chances. Bondarenko’s pass into the centre of the penalty area brought Kaua Elias through on target, he skilfully outplayed the defender but missed. Alisson also headed just wide after a flank cross from Pedro Henrique. The best opportunity in this period fell to Konoplia, who, after a cross from Kevin, took the ball onto his foot at the right edge of the box and fired powerfully into the far top corner – the Finns were saved by the crossbar. Sudakov had a chance as well, but after being fed by Alisson, he sent the ball flying over the goal from close range. Still, the pressure from the Orange-and-Blacks paid off, and in the 26th minute, the hosts opened the scoring: Alisson intercepted the ball on the right flank, played one-two with Kevin, burst through the centre into the box and beat the goalkeeper, making it 1-0. Kaua Elias could have doubled the lead a few minutes later, as Sudakov threaded a fine pass to him, but the Brazilian striker hit the goalkeeper from close range. In the next attack, Kaua Elias made a long-range effort – again, Virtanen saved it. Sudakov attempted a similar strike towards the near post, missing by mere centimetres. A great chance near the end of the half was created by Pedro Henrique, who won the ball on the left flank and sent a brilliant diagonal pass to Alisson, the latter lobbed the keeper, but the Tampere side defender cleared the ball for a corner. From that corner, in the 43rd minute, came the second goal: Alisson delivered a cross to the edge of the goal area, and Kaua Elias jumped highest to head it into the far corner – 2-0.
Brace and three assists from Alisson, goals by Kevin, Pedrinho and Newertton – a demolition job
The break did not changed the attacking mood of Arda Turan’s team, and immediately after the resumption of the game, the Pitmen scored their third goal. In the 48th minute, a long pass from deep reached Alisson, who pushed off a defender in the box and beat the goalkeeper through a low shot, making it 3-0. Shortly after, Bondarenko found himself in a similar situation but narrowly missed the far top corner with a right-footed shot in a challenge with Virtanen. The first substitutions for the Miners came in the 58th minute: Ocheretko and Pedrinho appeared on the pitch. Meanwhile, Ilves players grew more active, orchestrating several dangerous attacks in the middle of the second half: Stjopin fired a shot from the goal area corner just wide of the post, while Jukkola and Veteli also failed to hit the target in their attempts. Shakhtar coaching staff refreshed the team with further substitutions, bringing on Vinicius Tobias and Newertton. Soon after, the Orange-and-Blacks scored their fourth goal: in the 74th minute, Ocheretko set up Alisson, but the Finnish goalkeeper saved his shot, however Kevin was there to finish it off – 4-0. After that, the game calmed down a bit, although the hosts continued to control the situation. In the 85th minute, there was another substitution – birthday boy Yehor Nazaryna, who turned 28 today, came onto the pitch. In the closing stages, the Miners inflicted total devastation on their opponents. In the 88th minute, Alisson challenged for the ball on the right flank and passed to Pedrinho, who fired a spectacular shot – 5-0. And at the 89th minute, Newertton received a pass on the left edge of the penalty area and scored from a tight angle under the near post, making it 6-0. In the final seconds, the opponents could have broken the deadlock, but Riznyk kept a clean sheet with a double save.
6-0 – Shakhtar confidently defeated Finnish Ilves in the first match of the European season and Arda Turan’s debut game as head coach.
The return match will take place in Tampere, Finland, in a week, on July 17. The clash will be held at the Tammelan Stadion, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 local time. Tickets for away section for Shakhtar fans are on sale.
Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0 (2-0) Ilves Tampere
Ljubljana, Stožice, att.: 1,842
Goals: 1-0 Alisson (26′), 2-0 Kaua Elias (43′), 3-0 Alisson (48′), 4-0 Kevin (74′), 5-0 Pedrinho (88′), 6-0 Newertton (89′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Konoplia (Vinicius Tobias, 72′), Bondar, Matviienko (c), Pedro Henrique, Marlon Gomes (Nazaryna, 85′), Bondarenko (Predrinho, 58′), Sudakov (Ocheretko, 58′), Alisson, Kevin, Kaua Elias (Newertton, 72′)
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