Through to the next UEL round
Thursday, July 17, 2025
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Shakhtar faced Ilves in return leg of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round in Tampere
Head coach of the Miners Arda Turan made some changes to the starting line-up compared to the first game: Riznyk took the place between the sticks again, Bondar (captain) and Ghram played at centre-back, Vinicius Tobias and Azarov operated as fullbacks, Bondarenko, Pedrinho and Ocheretko appeared in midfield, Eguinaldo and Newertton were in the winger positions, with Traore in the centre-forward role.
Game advantage with chances but no goals before the break
The Orange-and-Blacks, just like in the first game, completely dominated the pitch and had several chances to open the scoring within the first few minutes. Pedrinho and Eguinaldo put through a combination on the left flank that ended with a low cross into the centre of the penalty area, but Bondarenko’s shot didn’t come off. Soon after, another sharp pass from Eguinaldo could have been converted into a goal by Pedrinho – just wide of the post. Shakhtar’s aggressive high pressing stood out: right after losing the ball, the whole team actively engaged in pressing near the opposing penalty area and quickly regained possession. Midway through the half, both sides exchanged equally inaccurate long-range efforts from the same Pedrinho and Stjopin, and then Arda Turan’s men created the two best chances before the break. First, Pedrinho brought Eguinaldo through on goal down the left side of the box, but the latter’s curling shot was saved by the home keeper, and then Traore found Newertton on the right side of the penalty area, however the Brazilian’s attempt hit the near post.
Plenty of scoring opportunities but lacking in finishing
The second half also began with a chance for the Ukrainian side: in a swift attack, Eguinaldo sent Traore through one-on-one, but the Burkinabe forward fired wide. Eguinaldo could have opened the scoring himself when he headed a well-placed cross from Vinicius Tobias – but missed the target. In the 55th minute, Shakhtar’s coaching staff made their first substitutions, bringing on Gocholeishvili and Shved. Perhaps the best chance for the Orange-and-Blacks came midway through the half: Bondarenko beat his opponents in the box and squared passed to a teammate, Newertton seemed to have an open goal, but Ilves defender stepped in the way and blocked the shot to save the hosts. Shortly afterwards, another double substitution took place – Sudakov and Kaua Elias appeared on the pitch. The forward made good use of his time on the pitch by creating several great chances for his teammates. First, Pedrinho had a shot inside the penalty area following a pass from him – Virtanen pulled the ball out from under the crossbar. Then Ocheretko exchanged passes with Kaua Elias but fired over the bar. Finally, Sudakov received a pass from the Brazilian but couldn’t chip the keeper. The last chance to score the winner fell to Newertton – he struck the crossbar from the left side. 0-0 – Shakhtar tied with Ilves away but advanced to the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round on aggregate (6-0).
Exactly a week from now, on July 24, Arda Turan’s side will face Turkish club Beşiktaş in Istanbul. The game will take place at the Vodafone Park, kicking off at 21:00. Tickets can be purchased via the link on shakhtar.com.
Ilves Tampere 0-0 (0-0) Shakhtar Donetsk
Tampere, Tammelan Stadion, att: 7,314
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Vinicius Tobias (Gocholeishvili, 55′), Bondar (к), Azarov, Bondarenko (Sudakov, 67′), Pedrinho (Nazaryna, 81′), Ocheretko, Eguinaldo (Shved, 55′), Newertton, Traore (Kaua Elias, 67′)
Game advantage with chances but no goals before the break
The Orange-and-Blacks, just like in the first game, completely dominated the pitch and had several chances to open the scoring within the first few minutes. Pedrinho and Eguinaldo put through a combination on the left flank that ended with a low cross into the centre of the penalty area, but Bondarenko’s shot didn’t come off. Soon after, another sharp pass from Eguinaldo could have been converted into a goal by Pedrinho – just wide of the post. Shakhtar’s aggressive high pressing stood out: right after losing the ball, the whole team actively engaged in pressing near the opposing penalty area and quickly regained possession. Midway through the half, both sides exchanged equally inaccurate long-range efforts from the same Pedrinho and Stjopin, and then Arda Turan’s men created the two best chances before the break. First, Pedrinho brought Eguinaldo through on goal down the left side of the box, but the latter’s curling shot was saved by the home keeper, and then Traore found Newertton on the right side of the penalty area, however the Brazilian’s attempt hit the near post.
Plenty of scoring opportunities but lacking in finishing
The second half also began with a chance for the Ukrainian side: in a swift attack, Eguinaldo sent Traore through one-on-one, but the Burkinabe forward fired wide. Eguinaldo could have opened the scoring himself when he headed a well-placed cross from Vinicius Tobias – but missed the target. In the 55th minute, Shakhtar’s coaching staff made their first substitutions, bringing on Gocholeishvili and Shved. Perhaps the best chance for the Orange-and-Blacks came midway through the half: Bondarenko beat his opponents in the box and squared passed to a teammate, Newertton seemed to have an open goal, but Ilves defender stepped in the way and blocked the shot to save the hosts. Shortly afterwards, another double substitution took place – Sudakov and Kaua Elias appeared on the pitch. The forward made good use of his time on the pitch by creating several great chances for his teammates. First, Pedrinho had a shot inside the penalty area following a pass from him – Virtanen pulled the ball out from under the crossbar. Then Ocheretko exchanged passes with Kaua Elias but fired over the bar. Finally, Sudakov received a pass from the Brazilian but couldn’t chip the keeper. The last chance to score the winner fell to Newertton – he struck the crossbar from the left side. 0-0 – Shakhtar tied with Ilves away but advanced to the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round on aggregate (6-0).
Exactly a week from now, on July 24, Arda Turan’s side will face Turkish club Beşiktaş in Istanbul. The game will take place at the Vodafone Park, kicking off at 21:00. Tickets can be purchased via the link on shakhtar.com.
Ilves Tampere 0-0 (0-0) Shakhtar Donetsk
Tampere, Tammelan Stadion, att: 7,314
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Vinicius Tobias (Gocholeishvili, 55′), Bondar (к), Azarov, Bondarenko (Sudakov, 67′), Pedrinho (Nazaryna, 81′), Ocheretko, Eguinaldo (Shved, 55′), Newertton, Traore (Kaua Elias, 67′)
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