League of Europe. "Shakhtar" started the playoff with a victory over "Rennes"

16.02.2023 21:40

Photo by shakhtar.com

Donetsk "Shakhtar" started in the first round of the Europa League playoffs with a home match against the French "Rennes", which took place in Warsaw.

Ihor Jovičevych's wards took third place in Group F of the Champions League and have moved in the Europa League. There, they began their journey from the play-off round, where they dropped out to meet with "Rennes", which, by the way, played in the same group of LE with Kyiv "Dynamo". Due to the Russian invasion, the miners were forced to host a rival in Warsaw.

For Shakhtar, it was the first official match of 2023, which, however, did not particularly affect the game of the Ukrainian team. As well as the absence of the Wise Man, who is in winter became a player of London "Chelsea". So, in the 11th minute, Kryskiv opened the scoring, replacing Mykhailo on the left flank of the attack. Mykhailichenko connected from the flank and did not beat Mandand from an acute angle, but Dmytro was the first to finish. 1:0.

After that, "Rennes" took possession of the ball, and Trubin had to be rescued after a free kick from Bourijeau and a one-on-one exit due to a mistake by Bondarenko Toko Ekambi. However, at the end of the first half, Shakhtar doubled the lead — Bondarenko converted a penalty for a foul by Ugochukwu on Konopli. 2:0.

Photo by uefa.com

At the beginning of the second half, the miners had a moment, but in the future they mainly defended. Trubin had to be rescued after dangerous shots by Bourijeau and Truffer, but in the 59th minute, "Rennes" did win one goal. Doku crossed from the left wing and Thoko Ekambi closed the far post. 2:1.

Shakhtar responded with Stepanenko's shot over the crossbar after a corner and Zubkov's missed attempt from a rebound. In the future, "Renne" did not have any dangerous moments, while its defender prevented Sicana from scoring in the 83nd minute.

Photo by uefa.com

As a result, the miners kept a minimal advantage and won on their own field. The return match will be held on February 23 in Rennes at the Roazon Park stadium.

As part of Shakhtar, the players who were called up for the last training session of the national team took part in the match: Trubin, Bondar, Matvienko, Mykhailichenko (yellow card), Stepanenko (yellow card), Zubkov (yellow card).

League of Europe. Contact round. The first match

"Shakhtar" (Ukraine) — "Rennes" (France) — 2:1 (2:0)

Goals: Kryskiv (11), Bondarenko (45+1, with a penalty) — Toko Ekambi (59).

Shakhtar: Trubin, Konoplia, Bondar, Matvienko, Mykhailichenko, Stepanenko (k), Zubkov, Bondarenko, Sudakov, Kryskiv (Petryak, 77), Traore (Sikan, 77).

Substitutions: Shevchenko, Pyatov, Jurasek, Kelsey, Topalov, Taylor, Farina, Nazarina, Kozik, Rakitsky.

Trainer: Igor Jovichevich.

Rennes: Mandanda, Spence, Omari, Belochan, Truffer, Doku (Salah, 71), Bourijeau (k), Ugochukwu (Santamaria, 77), Toko Ekambi (Mayer, 77), Kalimuendo-Muinga (Meling, 86), Guiry (D. Due, 71).

Substitutions: Alemdar, Salen, Rodon, Theat, Wu, Tait, G. Douet.

Trainer: Bruno Genesio.

Referee: Irfan Pelto (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Booked: Stepanenko (40), Mykhailichenko (85), Zubkov (85) — Burizho (43), Ugochukwu (57), Omari (85).

February 16. Warsaw. Stadium of the Polish Army.