Shakhtar Donetsk vs Chornomorets Odesa: The Clash of Titans (and a Few Scallywags)
Date: November 2
Location: Arena Lviv
Kick-off: 18:00
Live Broadcast: UPL.TV
Before the Match
Ah, Shakhtar Donetsk, our lovely coal miners! Continuing their relentless gameplay—this will be their fourth match in just 12 days. I mean, they’re like that overzealous friend at a buffet, piling their plate high with every dish without a care in the world. Recently, they faced off against their arch-nemesis, Dynamo Kyiv, and ended the match in a draw (1:1). At present, they sit comfortably in fourth place—20 points in the bank, a goal difference of 26-10. Not too shabby! I reckon their coach, Marino Pushych, is the real magician here, conjuring victories whilst giving his star players a breather. Speaking of stars, Georgy Sudakov has been on fire, delivering 7 goals and 3 assists this season. Someone get him an ice pack, will you?
Meet the Opposition
And then there’s Chornomorets, who have stumbled their way to 12 points, landing them in the tenth spot on the UPL table. They’ve got a record of 3 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses—almost as chaotic as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. However, they seem to have found their rhythm of late, going four matches without a loss. Well, better late than never, eh? Their most prolific goal-getter is Denys Yanakov, with a whopping 2 goals. Yes, you heard that right! But wait, there’s more drama—Danylo Udod, a defender trained by none other than Shakhtar, will be MIA due to card-checking shenanigans. Anyone fancy a game of ‘Who’s Missing’?
A Bit of History
In the grand theatre of Ukrainian football, Shakhtar and Chornomorets have tangoed 55 times in the championship. Shakhtar has waltzed away with 40 wins, while Chornomorets has managed to pull off only 7. The aggregate score? A staggering 115-32 in favor of our delightful miners. Talk about a schoolyard bullying!
Last Encounter
Flashback to May 5, when these two teams last met at the “Left Bank” arena in Kyiv. Shakhtar didn’t just win; they delivered a classic 3-0 smackdown, with Sudakov scoring early and often. The Brazilian Kevin sealed the deal with a penalty like a cherry on a sundae. Sweet, but not for the Chornomorets fans.
Match Day Details
As the match day rolls in, it’ll be officiated by Dmytro Panchyshyn and his merry band of assistants, Semyon Shlonchak and Valentin Kutsev. The ever-so-hyped VAR is on duty (thank goodness!) with Viktor Kopievskyi at the helm. Just in case someone tries to pull a fast one. You know how footballers can get!
Final Thoughts
So, the stage is set for a riveting showdown in Lviv. Will Shakhtar continue their quest for glory, or will Chornomorets pull off the shock of the season and sneak away with points? Grab your popcorn, settle into your couch, and tune in to UPL.TV! It’s bound to be another entertaining evening of football, full of hope, heartbreak, and perhaps a few dodgy referee decisions. Let’s brace ourselves!
November 2, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 18:00
Live broadcast – UPL.TV
Before the match
“Shakhtar” continues its gaming marathon, and the match with “Chernomorets” will be the fourth in 12 days for the Donetsk team. In the previous round, the “miners” drew with the arch-rival “Dynamo” Kyiv (1:1) and are currently in fourth place in the championship table with 20 points (goal difference: 26–10). This week, Marino Pushych’s team also started in the Cup of Ukraine, defeating Luhansk “Zorya” (1:0) at the 1/8 final stage – Lassina Traore scored a goal. In this match, the coach of the “orange and black” used a wide rotation of the lineup, giving rest to many leaders of the team. Shakhtar’s top scorer this season remains Georgy Sudakov, with 7 goals and 3 assists.
Opponent
After 11 rounds, “Chornomorets” has 3 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses and with 12 points (goal difference: 7-11) is on the 10th step of the UPL tournament table. In the last 4 matches, the Odessans have never lost, winning against “Obolonya” (1:0) and ending the matches with LNZ (1:1), “Veres” (1:1) and “Rukh” (1:1) . The most productive player of the “sailors” this season is striker Denys Yanakov (2 goals). Odesa defender Danylo Udod, a pupil of the Shakhtar Academy, will miss the upcoming match due to a check of cards.
History of relationships
Shakhtar and Chornomorets played 55 matches in the championship of Ukraine: the miners have 40 wins, 8 games ended in a draw, Odessa was stronger in 7 matches. Total goal difference: 115-32 in favor of the “orange and black”.
Preliminary meeting
On May 5, the teams played in Kyiv at the “Left Bank” arena. The fate of the match was decided in the first half after the goals of Georgy Sudakov in the 19th minute and Danylo Sikan in the 22nd. The final result at the beginning of the second half was scored by the Brazilian Kevin with an accurate penalty kick. 3:0 – the victory of the Donetsk people.
The match between Shakhtar and Chornomorets will be served by a team of referees led by Dmytro Panchyshyn. Assistants – Semyon Shlonchak and Valentin Kutsev. The VAR system will work at the game (VAR referee – Viktor Kopievskyi).
**Interview with Football Analyst: Alexei Petrov**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Alexei. As we gear up for the matchup between Shakhtar Donetsk and Chornomorets Odesa this November 2nd in Lviv, what are your thoughts on Shakhtar’s recent performance?
**Alexei Petrov:** Thanks for having me! Shakhtar has certainly been on a busy schedule lately—four matches in twelve days is no easy feat. Their recent draw against Dynamo Kyiv shows they have the stamina but may need to find more consistency in converting games into wins. Coach Marino Pushych has done a fantastic job managing the squad, but fatigue could start to have an impact as the season progresses.
**Interviewer:** Exactly, fatigue could be a factor. How do you see Georgy Sudakov’s impact in the upcoming match? He’s been scoring goals like they’re going out of style!
**Alexei Petrov:** Sudakov is definitely one of the stars to watch. His ability to find the back of the net along with providing key assists makes him a dual threat. If he can maintain his form, he will undoubtedly be a pivotal player for Shakhtar. But with Chornomorets perhaps ramping up their defensive strategies considering their recent four-match unbeaten run, he’ll need to be clever in his movements.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of Chornomorets, they’re currently sitting in tenth place with just 12 points. What do you think they can bring to the game?
**Alexei Petrov:** Chornomorets has had a rocky start, but their recent performances hint at a turning point. They might be underdogs, but they’re also unpredictable—after all, they recently went four matches without a loss. If Denys Yanakov could step up and score a few more goals, they could pose some challenges for Shakhtar’s defense. However, the absence of Danylo Udod will undoubtedly hurt them as they rotate their defensive lineup.
**Interviewer:** Indeed, history doesn’t seem to favor Chornomorets in this matchup, especially considering their record against Shakhtar. How much do you think the historical context will play a role in the players’ mentality going into this match?
**Alexei Petrov:** The psychological edge is certainly worth considering. Knowing they’ve struggled against Shakhtar historically could weigh on them. However, the fact that they’ve managed to remain unbeaten in recent games might give them a bit of confidence. Football is as much mental as it is physical, and if they can start strong, they might be able to shake off that historical baggage.
**Interviewer:** What key elements should fans be observing during the match?
**Alexei Petrov:** Fans should pay close attention to tactical setups, especially how Chornomorets adjusts defensively against the attacking prowess of Shakhtar. It will be interesting to see if Shakhtar can maintain their high-pressure style despite fatigue. Additionally, how the refereeing crew, led by Dmytro Panchyshyn and VAR, influences crucial decisions could be a factor—we’ve seen matches turn on such calls before.
**Interviewer:** what’s your prediction for the match?
**Alexei Petrov:** As much as I’d like to say Chornomorets might pull off an upset, I think Shakhtar is the stronger side on paper. If they can find their rhythm early on, I see them winning by a couple of goals—possibly 3-1. But in football, anything can happen, and that’s what makes it so exciting!
**Interviewer:** Thanks for your insights, Alexei! It looks like we’re in for an exciting match.
**Alexei Petrov:** My pleasure! Let’s hope for a thrilling evening of football.
