Preview

September 1, Kryvyi Rih, Hirnyk, 18:00
Live stream will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar are demonstrating the opposite results at the beginning of the season: having defeated Vorskla (5-0) in the opening round, the Miners lost to Polissia (0-1) in the next game, and after the victory over Livyi Bereh (1-0), they lost to Oleksandriia (3-4) in a crazy match. Marino Pusic’s team have 6 points after 4 rounds (goal difference: 9–5).

The Orange-and-Blacks prepared for the upcoming game amid the terrible news: Avrora hotel, where Shakhtar were supposed to be staying, was destroyed as a result of shelling of Kryvyi Rih by the Russian army. Despite the circumstances, the clubs expressed their willingness not to postpone the match, to hold the game in Kryvyi Rih and to support the residents of the city in this way.

Opponents

In 4 opening matches of the new league, bronze winners of the previous season Kryvbas claimed victories over Choromorets (1-0) and Veres (2-0), were defeated by Karpaty (0-3) and played a draw with Inhulets in the previous round (1-1). Yurii Vernydub’s team are now 6th in the UPL table with 7 points (goal difference: 4–4).

At the same time, the Kryvyi Rih team already managed to play 4 matches in the European Cups. First, Kryvbas failed to pass the Europa League qualifying round, losing twice to Czech Viktoria (1-2 and 0-1), and then they were defeated by Spanish Betis (0-1 and 0-3) in the UEFA Conference League qualification and completed this year’s performances in the European arena.

Match background

Shakhtar and Kryvbas met 46 times in the Ukrainian League: 32 victories of the Miners, 8 matches ended in a draw, the Kryvyi Rih team were stronger in 6 games. Total goal difference: 92–27 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous match

On March 3, the teams met at the Arena Lviv and played one of the most spectacular matches of the season. In the first half, the visiting team responded to the goals by Konoplia and Kryskiv with Prince Adu’s shot. After the break, the Pitmen exploited a success: Bondarenko widened the lead in the 68th minute, and Kryskiv made the score crushing in the 82nd minute. Stetskov scored one goal, but Traore capped the scoring in the 90th minute. 5-0 – a spectacular and confident victory of Marino Pusic’s team.

Kryvbas vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Denys Shurman. Assistants – Semen Shlonchak and Oleksii Myronov. VAR system will be used during the game (Oleksandr Omelchenko will be the referee).