Champions League
Oleg MATVEEV – About Shakhtar’s first goal: “Who is responsible for Porto’s stoppage?”
Former Shakhtar player Oleg Matveyev He shared his thoughts on the 3-5 defeat of the Donetsk club against Porto in the 6th round match of the Champions League group stage.
– The players have no questions about the game and dedication. The guys tried their best. It’s not like someone somewhere didn’t make it or didn’t get the job done. But, apparently, it is too early to play for victory in such important and decisive matches – we lack some skill. I think we allowed ourselves three goals, they could have been completely avoided. When Porto started to actively press at the beginning of the match, it was clear that Shakhtar players would not be able to keep up with them under time pressure. Yes, they know how to control the ball, but under strong pressure from the opponent, panic begins.
– The number of missed goals is too high. What is the reason?
– We couldn’t keep up with the tempo, there was excitement.
– Shakhtar’s first goal turned out to be a scandal. What happened?
– Who is responsible for stopping Porto? The linesman made a mistake and called it offside. But in VAR, such events need to be continued and then reviewed. Zubkov and Sikan did everything right – they completed the division and scored. The referee later corrected the situation.
– Individual mistakes of Shakhtar players were decisive. Do you agree?
– Yes. The first goal is scored from behind, this needs to be controlled. Secondly, almost everyone was sitting in the penalty area. Why? It was necessary to go higher, meet and block. The third is Sudakov’s mistake. The fourth is Riznyka. Fifth – Bondar. Our players are not used to playing under time pressure in the UPL. That’s why so many mistakes are made under pressure from strong competitors.
– How can you generally evaluate Shakhtar’s season in the Champions League?
– Positive. Youth team. Many football players have little or no experience playing at this level. By performing at this level, the Georgians, Riznyk, Kryskiv and others, gained crucial experience and performed honorably.
Following the Champions League group stage results, Shakhtar qualified for the Europa League play-offs. Pitmen got 9 points from 6 matches in Europe’s most prestigious cup.
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.
Former coach of Dynamo Kiev Alexander Showkovsky He should have been sacked in August after a poor performance in the Champions League qualifiers.
The blue-whites, who lost twice to Cypriot Paphos in the 3rd round of the European Cup (0:1 and 0:2), were relegated to the Europa League and then promoted to the Conference League.
“I know that Dinamo management believes that a change of coach could and should be made in the summer, after they lost to Paphos in the Champions League qualifiers.
Then an opportunity arose. But the necessary candidate was not available,” the source said.
Due to the lack of alternatives, the president of the Kiev club decided to leave Shovkovsky as head coach, but in November the Ukrainian specialist was nevertheless fired and left Dynamo.
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.
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