Shakhtar vs Kudrivka: match preview
Monday, August 3, 2026
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Shakhtar to host Kudrivka in the opening round of the new UPL season
August 3, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 18:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV
Match build-up
Shakhtar begin the 2026/27 season as the reigning Ukrainian Premier League champions. Arda Turan's side prepared for the new campaign at a training camp in Slovenia from July 1 to 26. Alongside an intensive training programme, the Miners played five friendlies, defeating Croatian sides Rudeš (5-0) and Gorica (2-0), while drawing with Croatian club Slaven Belupo (2-2), Saudi side Al-Ula (0-0) and Turkish team Bursaspor (0-0). All four of the Orange-and-Blacks' new signings took part in the training camp: Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Karavaiev, Venezuelan winger Gleiker Mendoza and Brazilian midfielders Ryan Roberto and Bruninho. Georgian full-back Giorgi Gocholeishvili also returned from his loan spell. Overall, Shakhtar have registered 32 footballers for domestic competitions.
Opponents
Kudrivka are set for their second Ukrainian Premier League season after finishing 13th in their debut campaign. The Chernihiv region side then overcame Ahrobiznes on penalties in the relegation play-offs following two draws. Oleksandr Protchenko's team prepared for the new season in Ukraine, where they played five friendlies, defeating Rebel (2-1), Kolos-2 (2-0) and Obolon (1-0), while losing to Livyi Bereh (0-4) and Kolos (0-2). The club have been active in the transfer market, parting ways with a large group of players from last season and signing 13 new arrivals, including Dmytro Semenov and Kostiantyn Bychek from Obolon, Yevhen Pasich from Kharkiv, and Panamanian striker Reynaldino Verley. They have also taken three young players on loan from Shakhtar: Mykola Oharkov, Kyrylo Siheiev and Oleksandr Yushchenko. Former Miner Ivan Petriak joined the club as a free agent, but he, along with another experienced new signing, Mykola Vechurko, will miss the upcoming match due to suspension.
Match background
Shakhtar and Kudrivka have met twice in the Ukrainian Premier League, with the Miners winning both matches. Total goal difference: 7-1 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.
Previous meeting
The teams last met in the Ukrainian Premier League at the Obolon Arena in Kyiv on April 26. Shakhtar dominated the first half and built a comfortable lead through goals from Newertton and Lucas. After the break, both sides found the net. Oleksandr Kozak pulled one back for Kudrivka, but Artem Bondarenko restored Shakhtar's two-goal advantage almost immediately. The match ended in a 3-1 victory for the Miners.
The Shakhtar vs Kudrivka match will be officiated by a refereeing team led by Dmytro Panchyshyn. Assistants – Volodymyr Dumenko and Yaroslav Povazhnyi. VAR – Denys Shurman. VAR assistant – Maryna Striletska.
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV
Match build-up
Shakhtar begin the 2026/27 season as the reigning Ukrainian Premier League champions. Arda Turan's side prepared for the new campaign at a training camp in Slovenia from July 1 to 26. Alongside an intensive training programme, the Miners played five friendlies, defeating Croatian sides Rudeš (5-0) and Gorica (2-0), while drawing with Croatian club Slaven Belupo (2-2), Saudi side Al-Ula (0-0) and Turkish team Bursaspor (0-0). All four of the Orange-and-Blacks' new signings took part in the training camp: Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Karavaiev, Venezuelan winger Gleiker Mendoza and Brazilian midfielders Ryan Roberto and Bruninho. Georgian full-back Giorgi Gocholeishvili also returned from his loan spell. Overall, Shakhtar have registered 32 footballers for domestic competitions.
Opponents
Kudrivka are set for their second Ukrainian Premier League season after finishing 13th in their debut campaign. The Chernihiv region side then overcame Ahrobiznes on penalties in the relegation play-offs following two draws. Oleksandr Protchenko's team prepared for the new season in Ukraine, where they played five friendlies, defeating Rebel (2-1), Kolos-2 (2-0) and Obolon (1-0), while losing to Livyi Bereh (0-4) and Kolos (0-2). The club have been active in the transfer market, parting ways with a large group of players from last season and signing 13 new arrivals, including Dmytro Semenov and Kostiantyn Bychek from Obolon, Yevhen Pasich from Kharkiv, and Panamanian striker Reynaldino Verley. They have also taken three young players on loan from Shakhtar: Mykola Oharkov, Kyrylo Siheiev and Oleksandr Yushchenko. Former Miner Ivan Petriak joined the club as a free agent, but he, along with another experienced new signing, Mykola Vechurko, will miss the upcoming match due to suspension.
Match background
Shakhtar and Kudrivka have met twice in the Ukrainian Premier League, with the Miners winning both matches. Total goal difference: 7-1 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.
Previous meeting
The teams last met in the Ukrainian Premier League at the Obolon Arena in Kyiv on April 26. Shakhtar dominated the first half and built a comfortable lead through goals from Newertton and Lucas. After the break, both sides found the net. Oleksandr Kozak pulled one back for Kudrivka, but Artem Bondarenko restored Shakhtar's two-goal advantage almost immediately. The match ended in a 3-1 victory for the Miners.
The Shakhtar vs Kudrivka match will be officiated by a refereeing team led by Dmytro Panchyshyn. Assistants – Volodymyr Dumenko and Yaroslav Povazhnyi. VAR – Denys Shurman. VAR assistant – Maryna Striletska.