Champions League
Ivan GETSKO: “The main thing for Shakhtar is not to lose to Antwerp”
On October 4, in Belgium, Shakhtar Donetsk players will play their next Champions League group round match against local Antwerp.
Former forward of the Ukrainian national team Ivan Getsko In his meeting with Sport.ua reporter, he evaluated Pitmen’s chances in tomorrow’s match:
– Recently, there have been a lot of critical arrows directed at Pitmen’s new head coach Patrick van Leeuwen, saying that Shakhtar are not the same Shakhtar anymore. But it is not the Dutchman’s fault that the Donetsk team clearly overestimated their strength. They began to see themselves as “stars” earlier and therefore, in my opinion, became less demanding. I wish them to gradually get rid of illusions. They are still far from reaching the pinnacle of sportsmanship. However, it is possible that the Pitmen’s former teammates were still impressed by Mudryk’s fantastic transfer to Chelsea, but it was clear to many that he was not worth those millions. Now the leadership of the Londoners has no choice but to console themselves with the predictions of the former “stars” of English football that Mudryk is a talent and will definitely prove himself.
– Why do you think it is becoming increasingly difficult for Shakhtar to win even in the all-Ukrainian arena?
-There is no personality. I don’t even want to think about what will happen to the Pitmen support zone when Stepanenko leaves the team. It is not eternal. Also, there are not enough players to decide the fate of the match on their own. Therefore, it is difficult to predict how the Pitmen’s next match in the UPL championship will turn out. No more games.
– Meanwhile, Shakhtar have a test in the Champions League – Antwerp, which is significantly behind the Pitmen in European Cup experience.
– It is much more important that now the level of the Belgian elite league is higher than the UPL, it is easier for the Belgians to invite quality foreign players. They are in no hurry to go to Ukraine because of Russia’s aggression. For this reason, Belgian teams are developing faster and I see Antwerp as the favorite, especially since the support of their “native wall” will be provided.
Of course, it’s good that Matvienko is back on the field after his injury, but I can’t help but worry that he’s missing a lot. I hope that tomorrow Stepanenko will prepare his partners for the final match, Zubkov will force the Belgians to think more about the rear with his raids, the helmsman will surprise with home preparation. The important thing for me is not to lose in Antwerp, then there will still be hopes for the European Cup in the spring.
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
We continue to examine the future of Donetsk shakhtar To buy tickets directly to the main stage Champions League 2026/27.
This will be possible if the place reserved for the team that wins the Champions League trophy is redistributed.
All important moments of the match are available in LIVE mode Telegram Sport.ua
Donetsk Miner They are in fourth place with a coefficient of 50.250 among the clubs competing for a possible position at the heart of the Champions League.
In the last European week, the Donetsk club added +2.625 points. This increase was achieved with a 0-0 draw with Croatian Rijeka in the 6th round of the Conference League and a sixth place in the main round final table.
Main rival Greek Olympiacos – 56,500 points remaining. The Miners can regain the 6,250-point lead if they perform well in the spring part of the European Cups.
It is interesting that Shakhtar lost the first place in the UPL (Cherkasy has the same number of points as LNZ – 35 points each), and Olympiacos lost the lead in Greece to the AEK team (36 points against 37). Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk plays for the team of the city of Piraeus.
Positions rangers (59,250), 4th in Scotland and Copenhagen (53.375), placed 5th in Denmark, looks less competitive in the rankings due to its position in the national championships. Leader only in championships Dinamo Zagreb And RB Salzburg (44,000 each) but there is no certainty that the turn will come.
Let us remind you that if the cup holder buys a ticket to the Champions League through the national championship, there will be a vacancy in the main squad in the 2026/27 Champions League. In this case, a balance will arise again and if Shakhtar wins the UPL and is ahead of Olympiacos in the UEFA club rankings (or the Greek club does not become the champion of Greece), it can get a direct ticket to the base of the Champions League.
If the Piraeus team is higher in the rankings and takes advantage of the available space, the Donetsk club will start from the 4th quarter of the Champions League, not the 2nd quarter, in case they win in the UPL.
Candidates for direct tickets to the Champions League 2026/27 main stage
(In case the quota reserved for the Champions League champion becomes vacant)
UEFA Club Rankings 2026
infographics
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
Champions League
Pedri commented on the new format of the Champions League: An unexpected look from a football player
Barcelona midfielder pedri He answered the question about his attitude towards the new format of the Champions League with the general group stage.
“Do I like the new format of the Champions League? I can’t say with 100% certainty which format I like more: this one or the previous one?”
If I have to choose, I will do something new: There were more matches between strong teams in the first stage,” said Pedri, as quoted by Esquire.
Before the 2024/2025 season, the group stage of the Champions League consisted of eight groups of four clubs each. All participants played six matches in their respective foursomes, home and away, against each of the three opponents.
From the 2024/2025 season, a new Champions League format comes into force with a common group stage of 36 clubs; each participant plays eight matches, four away and four at home; The opponents are determined by lot.”
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
Earlier, English Manchester City played a match against French Monaco in a new round of the UEFA Champions League.
After the match, the head coach of the “Locals” Pep Guardiola commented on the performance of the powerful team.
“In football you can always perform better – and this is the result. Our game today was very good in many ways. And step by step we will improve our results.”
Ale mi gave many speeches today in the right way. We created many scoring opportunities and found Phil Foden active in the first half. Most Gravians played at a fairly high level.
Previously, they did not let their opponents create anything, but created the chances themselves. We adapted very well to the superniks and played very well. This is my opinion.
If you get a good match on the right side, of course you have to… Today we got a great ball, that’s all I can tell you right away.
Holland? It’s really good. He plays to score goals. He struggled with three centre-backs and two supporting defenders in front of him, and it wasn’t easy for his partners to know that. Ale, we can work hard to score goals.
Tse bula spravdi garna gra. We created a lot of chances, but unfortunately in the end we didn’t defend perfectly against a free kick, which would have been quite a few, and we conceded a penalty, which was awarded when the ball hit the first one… well, that’s it.
Referee? “I have nothing to say to the Spanish referees,” said the Spanish footballer.
In the coming round, English Manchester City will visit Spanish Villarreal.
Source: Football UA
Alberta Robinson is a sports journalist and author, who is currently associated with the publication Sportish, where she writes about sports related news and events. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, Robinson brings in-depth analysis and insightful commentary to her writing.
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