Champions League. Shakhtar lost to Borussia Monchengladbach and worsened their chances of reaching the playoffs

25.11.2020 23:47

Photo by shakhtar.com

The second match of the rivals three weeks after the first meeting again brought a disappointing result for the Pitmen.

The tournament situation in Group B before the 4th round was such that any of the four teams kept their chances of reaching the playoffs and at the same time risked losing the Euro Spring. Therefore, each match of this quartet acquired special significance.

Shakhtar played 12 matches in various tournaments before the match in Monchengladbach this autumn and lost only in one - namely Borussia in Kyiv with a crushing score of 0: 6. Therefore, the report match should have been considered as an opportunity for revenge of the orange and blacks.

To set the optimal composition of Luis Castro, who due to disqualification could not be in the technical zone, again failed. The position of the left defender looked especially problematic given the injuries of Ismaili and Kornienko. However, Borussia also had problems. Several performers left, and Plea, the author of the Kyiv hat-trick at the gates of Donetsk, was in reserve.

Photo by shakhtar.com

From the very beginning of the match, Shakhtar's players did not look their best in the middle of the field, losing controversial balls, and as a result, the hosts repeatedly went to comfortable positions. Pyatov rescued several times, but did not help when his team was awarded an 11-meter. Kryvtsov fouled against Turam, and Borussia captain Stindl opened the scoring. 

And in the future, the orange and black did not manage to establish control of the ball. "Borussia" attacked, perhaps not so persistently, but still effectively. Embolo hit the frame of the goal with a circular shot, and Elvedi jumped over Moraes after a corner and scored another goal for the hosts. Before the very break, Embolo made a crushing blow to himself after a free kick.

Photo by uefa.com

In the second half, the Pitmen improved their ball possession, began to score more often. But the masters of the situation remained the wards of Marco Rose. Borussia players controlled the course of events in the match and brought it to a victorious conclusion. Another ball in Pyatov's goal appeared after the next standard. 4: 0. After this defeat, the chances of the Ukrainian champion to participate in the Super League playoffs decreased, but did not disappear completely.

As part of Shakhtar, players who were on the list called up for the November training camp of the national team of Ukraine: Pyatov, Kryvtsov, Bondar, Matvienko, Stepanenko (yellow card), Marlos (replaced in the 71st minute), Moraes.

Photo by shakhtar.com

Champions League. Group round. Group B

4 round

Borussia M (Germany) - Shakhtar (Ukraine) - 4: 0 (3: 0)

Goals: Stindl (17, from the penalty spot), Elvedi (34), Embolo (45 + 1), Wendt (77).

Borussia M: Sommer, Liner, Hinter, Elvedi, Wendt, Kramer, Neuhaus (Zakaria, 69), Lazaro (Herrmann, 69), Stindl (k) (Benes, 80), Thuram (Traore, 84), Embolo (Plea, 69).

Substitutions: Zippel, Grün, Lang, Jancke, Poulsen.

Trainer: Marco Rose.

Shakhtar: Pyatov (k), Dodo, Kryvtsov, Bondar, Matvienko, Stepanenko, Alan Patrick (Maicon, 81), Marlos (Marcos Antonio, 71), Tete, Solomon (Fernando, 59), Moraes.

Substitutions: Shevchenko, Trubin, Marquinhos Cipriano, Vitao, Bolbat, Sudakov.

Trainer: Louis Castro.

Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (Turkey).

Booked: Lazaro (48), Liner (90 + 1) - Stepanenko (45).

November 25. Mönchengladbach. Borussia Park Stadium.

Inter (Italy) - Real (Spain) 22.00

Standings

5 round

01.12.2020

Shakhtar (Ukraine) - Real (Spain)

Borussia M (Germany) - Inter (Italy)