We are through to the UECL semi-finals!

Head coach of the Orange-and-Blacks Arda Turan selected the following line-up for this clash: Riznyk took the place between the sticks, Matviienko and Bondar were in central defence, Vinicius Tobias and Pedro Henrique operated on the defensive flanks, Nazaryna, Ocheretko and Isaque started in midfield, with Alisson, Newertton and Kaua Elias forming the attacking trio.

A half under control, with chances created but no goals

The Miners played on top from the opening minutes, fully dictating the play. And while the opening spell did not bring particularly dangerous attacks, the Ukrainian side’s advantage in chances became clear by the middle of the half. First, Nazaryna tested the top-right corner with a direct free kick, but the Alkmaar goalkeeper made the save. Shortly afterwards, Isaque beat his opponent on the left flank with a fine move and struck towards the near top corner, narrowly missing the post. Soon after, Kaua Elias found himself in a shooting position but delayed his decision and only won a corner. Nazaryna then tried another free kick, with the ball going straight into Zoet’s hands. Just before the break, the hosts responded with a chance of their own: Sadiq headed after a cross from the left, but the ball went wide of the far post.

A goal fest featuring Alisson and Meirelles

The start of the second half was slightly scrappy due to a number of fouls from both sides, but it was from this calm spell that Shakhtar scored. In the 58th minute, Shakhtar orchestrated a counterattack, with Kaua Elias driving through the centre and finding Alisson on the left, who placed the ball into the far corner from inside the box – 0-1. The hosts had a quick chance to respond when Ichihara headed just wide from a corner. Meanwhile, Shakhtar coaching staff refreshed the entire attacking line with two double substitutions, first bringing on Marlon Gomes and Eguinaldo, and later Lucas and Meirelles. However, in the 73rd minute, AZ equalised through Jensen, who curled a free kick into the left corner. Riding the momentum, the hosts pushed forward and took the lead in the 80th minute, with Sin finishing from inside the box into the left post. Shakhtar did not take long to respond. Luca Meirelles missed the far corner with his first attempt, but in the next attack in 83rd minute he scored: Lucas led a counterattack and set up the striker one-on-one, and Meirelles confidently beat the goalkeeper – 2-2. In the closing stages, Bondarenko came on for the Pitmen. In stoppage time, the visitors almost won it, but Zoet tipped Meirelles’ shot from under the crossbar.

2-2 – Shakhtar drew with AZ Alkmaar and progressed to the next round on aggregate (5-2).

Shakhtar will face the winners of the Crystal Palace (England) vs Fiorentina (Italy) tie in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals. The first leg will take place at the Miners’ home ground, the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Kraków (Poland) on April 30.

Next Monday, April 20, the Orange and Blacks will play the UPL round 24 fixture against Polissia. The match at the Arena Lviv kicks off at 18:00.

AZ Alkmaar 2-2 (0-0) Shakhtar Donetsk

Alkmaar, AZ Stadion, att.: 15,439

Goals: 0-1 Alisson (58′), 1-1 Jensen (73′), 2-1 Sin (80′), 2-2 Meirelles (83′)

Shakhtar: Riznyk, Vinicius Tobias, Matviienko (c), Bondar, Pedro Henrique, Nazaryna, Ocheretko (Bondarenko, 88′), Isaque (Eguinaldo, 61′), Alisson (Marlon Gomes, 61′), Newertton (Lucas, 70′), Kaua Elias (Meirelles, 70′)