Now it is very difficult to predict what the next season of the Premier League will be. And whether it will ever happen, given the ongoing aggression of Russia against our country. However, there is no doubt that Ukrainian clubs will play in the European cups in the 2022/2023 season. I am particularly confident that Shakhtar will make it to the Champions League group stage this fall. Even if Pitmen had to play home games in Warsaw for that.

The Champions League is now a breath of fresh air for Shakhtar. And not only for the Donetsk club, but for our whole country. In this most difficult time, we must show the whole world, including the sports world, that we live. What are we. And that we are competitive. We have to play between the best teams on the continent – both for ourselves and for the guys at the front.

In general, we all understand. Like a little sun in cold water. Or a lot. And not to forget the financial aspect, because the Pitmen’s participation in the main draw of the tournament alone (and I remind you, they automatically went there after the disqualification of Russian clubs from European tournaments) will earn them at least 35 million. euro. Given the serious problems with the business of the owner of the Donetsk club, this money will really help Shakhtar to work normally throughout the season. Least.

Yes, there will certainly be questions about logistics and air conditioning, but they can all be resolved. So, the working nuances. Also, if you call a spade a spade, Shakhtar has been playing their home European Cup away matches for a long time. So this situation will not be a special stress.

But what exactly will Shakhtar look like in these matches – that’s the question. I would say this is a dilemma. Because at this time almost all the legionnaires left the team. And the coach, most likely, your team will have a new one. So in September 2022 we will definitely see a radically updated version of the Orange-Blacks.

Now let’s talk about this new “face” of the team.

goalkeepers

In this case, everything is simple. Despite the active interest in the person of elite clubs, the main goalkeeper of the Pitmen Trubin remained at the disposal of the team. If nothing supernatural happens, Anatoly will remain the team’s first trick. So far, Pitmen’s main goalkeeper, Pyatov, who has a contract with the club for another year, will play the role of both the reserve and Trubin’s “uncle”.

FC Shakhtar. Andriy Pyatov and Anatoly Trubin

There is still one more experienced goalkeeper in the team – Aleksey Shevchenko, but I think it is unlikely that he will remain the third goalkeeper in the Champions League squad. Most likely one of the young goalkeepers will be third: Barchenko, Gritsenko, Kravets, Yermakov…

Protection

But then the difficulties begin. And experiments, because it can almost certainly be assumed that in the near future we will not see Vitao, Marlon, Dodo, Cipriano and Ismaily in Shakhtar. Therefore, the line of defense will be Ukraine. Actually, just like any other link.

In my opinion, the left-back position in Shakhtar is determined for the coming years. Kornienko can and should equally replace the veteran Ismaili. To do this, Viktor has absolutely all the necessary “tools”: speed, sense of position and passage, field vision. And even dribbling.

In this case, that is, Kornienko’s forced margin, Matvienko can close this position. My dear for Nikolai in general. And to be objective, he seems more preferable to the left side of the defense than Victor. But the fact is that Matvienko in the current Shakhtar should “cement” the defensive center. Otherwise it will be very difficult.

During Shakhtar’s final assists, De Zerbi tried on the spot for left-back Stasiuk from Mariupol. It was good.

But the young Drambaev can be considered as an alternative in the medium term: the 21-year-old man looked good from time to time on loan in Mariupol.

We are used to seeing the Dodo on the right side of the defense. But it seems that the 23-year-old Brazilian will leave Shakhtar: there is a serious demand for him, and he himself plans to leave the team due to the war. If this happens, Konoplya can perform the functions of a right-wing defender. Yefim has good tools to play in this position. Yes, and to be considered a basic football player. I think the main thing that is missing is the coaching confidence. Perhaps he will take it with the arrival of a new specialist on the coaching bridge.

A good alternative to cannabis is Vakula. It seems to me that one should not underestimate the versatile 23-year-old midfielder who plays on the right side of the defence, even under Castro. Now Vlad is on loan at Polissya until next summer. But if the team really needs him, he may withdraw prematurely. In any case, I would definitely back out.

Overall, the right-back position appears to be quite problematic in the new Shakhtar.

The defense center should be built around Matvienko, as mentioned above. There are currently no defenders with a similar “profile” on Shakhtar. It can only be released on the condition of a very good offer. But in terms of the further development of the club, it is better not to quit.

Bondar is seen as Nikolai’s partner at the center of the defense. The former captain of the “youth team” (among 20-year-olds) became stronger both physically and mentally. And ready to play at high level. But like Hemp, it really needs a mentor’s trust.

Duet Matvienko – Bondar, if necessary, can “dilute” Kryvtsy. The “good mood” of the Donetsk team no longer has enough speed and ability to play “one on one”, but Sergey is in excellent order in passing and playing “on the second floor”.

In the event of a “fire”, Shakhtar still has the option to play Oleksandriya Bondarenko on loan. Valeriy’s contract with the club from the Kirovograd region is valid for one more year, but Pitmen can withdraw his center in case of urgent need.

In this regard, there is one more option – Marlon. A very good option, no doubt. He remained the only Brazilian who did not leave the team for a long time. But recently, Marlon also went to his homeland. Whether he will return to Ukraine or to Shakhtar is a big question.

For a snack – Rakitsky. He is a former defender of Zenit and even stayed in shape with Pitmen after he had previously left Shakhtar’s Russian club. Is a return possible?

midfielder

If Shakhtar’s defensive line-ups were mostly determined by the Ukrainians, the midfield and offensive line-up were – mostly – determined by the legionnaires. Mostly Brazilians. But with the beginning of the war in Ukraine, almost all the “ball magicians” left the Donetsk club. And they are unlikely to return. Therefore, most likely, here you will have to manage with your own resources.

But there is no evil without good. Shakhtar really has the resources. They’re also very good. Mudrik alone is worth something. If Mikhail still does not leave the club this summer, he will definitely become the midfielder. The left winger’s place is guaranteed to him. Even on the condition that Solomon stays (though most likely Manor will leave too).

An excellent attempt during the charity matches was the inclusion of Topalov on the roster. Dmitry can certainly benefit the team.

A very good alternative is Ocheretko, who plays on loan in Mariupol. The man is prudent beyond his age, has excellent field vision and an accurate long pass. And yes, the speed is good.

Also in the future there is a 20-year-old Svityukha, who plays on loan in Mariupol.

At the opposite end of the midline, where we’re used to seeing Tete but apparently never see him again, there’s quite a lot of room for experimentation. Vakula mentioned above can play in this position: it is his own position. Artem Bondarenko also tried as a right winger: he wasn’t bad, although playing in the top ten was better for him. Like his colleague Dmitry Kryskiv from Metalist-1925, who was tried at the base during charity matches.

There is also an option with Kashchuk, who recently played on loan in Mariupol. Yes, and the Mishnev playing there cannot be discounted.

But in the middle of the midfield, a position was initially “selected” by Stepanenko. Taras can still play the role of both a breakwater and a pit bull at a high level. Sudakov will definitely get another spot in the middle of the field. Over time, this man will become the Pitmen’s midfielder. The alternative is Ignatenko’s return from debt to Bordeaux. Earlier, Daniil said he wanted to stay at the French club but Bordeaux lost their elite status at the end of the season so anything is possible.

Among the 20-year-olds who made a name for themselves in Mariupol, it is also possible for world champion Maxim Cech to rise to the top.

Attack

Here, too, we will definitely see faces that are partially forgotten, although not new. The Pitmen’s lead striker, Traore, has been out of the field for nine months due to injury, and whether he will return to the team is a big question. The same can be said for Neres. It won’t just be team Junior Moraes. So I will have to return from the loan in “Hanza” Sikan. Although the player himself does not hesitate to stay in the second Bundesliga. Overall, it’s up to Shakhtar to decide.

If Sikan still does not return, there is an option with the return of Kayode (remember another such striker?) from the rental agreement with Sivasspor. Although not the fact that Larry wanted it.

FC Shakhtar. Andrey Boryakuk (right)

But Boryachuk, who plays for Rukh on loan, will definitely want to. More precisely, he already wanted to do it: Andrey played for the team during the charity fights. And it fits Shakhtar completely. I think so too.

Another option: return on loan from Tuzlaspor (Turkey second division) Kulakov, who is known to play for Mariupol. Or arriving at the end of the lease from 19-year-old Zurich Vyunnik. Or a bet on a young player from Sigeev’s club academy.

In general, any of the available options (except Traore) will have the mark of a try. But you have to understand that the old life, the old Shakhtar, will no longer exist.

Because there will be a new Shakhtar. And it may not be much worse than before.