Preview

March 22, Shchaslyve, FC Shakhtar Academy indoor facility, 12:00
The live stream will be available on Shakhtar’s official YouTube channel

Match build-up

The Miners spent three days preparing for the match against Metalist 1925 at the Academy facility in Shchaslyve. The team currently have 14 points and are 5th in the standings (4 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses).

Viktoriia Shevtsova, defender:

– The defeat by Kolos was very unpleasant, one of the key factors was mettle. We analysed all aspects and hope that the game against the Kharkiv-based team will be successful. Metalist 1925 are a quality team, the footballers have a high level of training and play for the Ukraine national team, however, any strength has a counterbalance, so we should find the opponent’s weaknesses and take advantage of them.

Opponents

Metalist 1925 Kharkiv finished the first stage of the competition in the European Cup zone with 23 points. In the pre-season, the team prepared for the resumption of the championship in two stages: first, introductory training in Shchaslyve, and then, a training camp in Turkey, where the team held a series of friendly matches (2 wins and 2 losses, goal difference: 22–4). The club was also active in the transfer market, strengthening its squad with midfielders Viktoriia Hiryn and Stefaniia Oliinyk, as well as Daria Bilodid.

Volodymyr Piatenko's team started the second stage of the Vyshcha League with a confident victory over Seasters (3-1). Currently, Metalist 1925 are in 3rd spot in the standings with 26 points after 11 matches (8 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss). The top goalscorer is Yelyzaveta Molodiuk (12 goals in 11 matches).

Match background

The Kharkiv-based team were stronger in 4 matches between Shakhtar and Metalist 1925 in the Vyshcha League.

Previous meeting

On November 9, 2024, Shakhtar hosted Metalist 1925 at the Arsenal Arena in the final game of the first stage of the championship. The Kharkiv-based team started more actively and took the lead in the 15th minute, converting a set piece with the final shot by Molodiuk. In 10 minutes, the forward netted a brace, heading in a goal after a pass from Aleksanian. In the second half, the pattern of play did not change, and the Miners responded to the effective actions of Shabalina and Pantsulaia only with a goal by Zaborovets at the end of the match. As a result, the referee recorded the victory of Metalist 1925 with a 4-1 score.