Dnipro - Shakhtar 1:3. They fought but didn't win

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Dnipropetrovsk. Meteor Stadium.
Attendance: 20 000 (according to PFL information)

Referee: Shebek, Kyiv
Linesmen: Tsymbal, Khalamendyk (both Kyiv)

Dnipro 1:3 Shakhtar Nazarenko 29 (pen.) Brandao 8, Rat 44, Luis Adriano 55 Kernozenko, Hrytsay, Shelaev, Samodin (Mazilu 79), Vorobey, Denisov, Andrienko, Holek, Nazarenko, Lyopa (Ferreyra 61), Kankava (Rotan 56) Shutkov, Hubschman, Kucher, Fernandinho, Ilsinho (Kravchenko 66), Luis Adriano (Hladkiy 70), Hay (Jadson 77), Brandao, Rat, Chyhrynskiy, Srna Andrienko 45, Shelaev 78 Luis Adriano 10, Ilsinho 33, Brandao 39, Jadson 81

Hosts were the first to create a goalscoring opportunity in this match. On 7 minutes Nazarenko sent a high cross for Samodin but his header went over the bar. Shakhtar responded with the attack that led to their first goal. Andrienko went forward and left his flank uncovered so nobody prevented Fernandinho from crossing into the area where Brandao on his third attempt managed to put the ball past Kernozenko.

After that Dnipro fans pulled up the banner that read “Those who don’t fight, don’t win”. Having conceded the goal, Protasov’s men began to push forward, as though answering their supporters, and there were many dangerous episodes near Shutkov’s goal. On 11 minutes Hrytsay shot from near the 11 meters spot after a good interplay between Nazarenko and Vorobey, but his shot was blocked by the defenders. Then Samodin got his head to the ball but it whistled over the bar once again. Shakhtar had to defend in numbers leaving even Brandao near their own goal.

On 24 minutes Donetsk players could increase their lead as the ball that was cleared away fell to Luis Adriano who went one-on-one with Kernozenko. However his lob over the keeper was inaccurate. Five minutes later the Miners were punished for such wastefulness when Shutkov fouled Samodin in the area and the penalty was awarded. Nazarenko converted it making the score 1:1. Dnipro continued to attack and Andrienko shot from distance into the top corner but the keeper was there to save.

One minute before the halftime break Rat picked up the ball in his flank and blasted it towards the far corner. Kernozenko saw the moment of the shot and the trajectory of the ball but still was helpless to stop it from going into the back of the net – 1:2.

Dnipro goalkeeper was also the one to blame for the third goal after which the game was as good as over. It happened 10 minutes into the second half when Luis Adriano received the flank cross at the edge of the goalkeeping area, calmly chested it down and freely rifled it home – 1:3.

Hosts created just one goalscoring opportunity in the remaining time but it was the one to be seen. On 77 minutes Rotan and Nazarenko launched a dangerous attack that ended with Samodin’s powerful effort that hit the crossbar. Dnirpo couldn’t create anything more as their physical condition was already bad. Shakhtar also didn’t want to force the events.

Mircea Lucescu, FC Shakhtar head coach:

- I think both teams showed a spectacular play. Both sides showed determination and strong will to win which resulted in a slew of scoring opportunities. Perhaps we were more concentrated on the final stages of our attacks which helped us score three goals. It is a difficult task to make a n analysis of such a clash. I can say that both teams were playing under pressure to pick vital points.

Oleh Protasov, FC Dnipro head coach:

- I think Dnipro looked pretty well. The first half was more interesting because there was intrigue. We conceded silly goals – the defense and the goalkeeper could have played better. I am sure that if you want to be able to beat such teams like Shakhtar, the whole outfit must be on their top form and they must feel the today is the day on which they’ll be victorious.

I don’t know what you are going to ask me, but I’d like to say that I already have the idea of what the league table will look like at the end of the season. I guess we must put aside our title ambitions and be more reasonable. We shall be struggling for the third place. It had been our task and we shall try to accomplish it.

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