But taking part in Tuesday’s match a whole lot of miles away in the German metropolis of Hamburg due to the battle at house didn’t stop Danylo Sikan securing a well-known victory over the five-time European winners with a dipping header in the fortieth minute.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Shakhtar Donetsk’s shock 1-0 Champions League win in opposition to Barcelona was hailed by coach Marino Pusic as “only the beginning” for the membership and an essential step ahead for soccer in beleaguered Ukraine.
The Ukrainian facet haven’t been in a position to play at their Donbass Arena in Donetsk, now occupied by Russia, since 2014.
But taking part in Tuesday’s match a whole lot of miles away in the German metropolis of Hamburg due to the battle at house didn’t stop Danylo Sikan securing a well-known victory over the five-time European winners with a dipping header in the fortieth minute.
Barcelona nonetheless lead Group H forward of second-placed Porto, who beat Royal Antwerp 2-0, however Shakhtar play the Belgians on November 28 — they already beat them 3-2 in October — and will likely be assured of one other victory that might give them a real probability of reaching the knockout spherical.
“It is very sweet. But it is sweet not only for me. Of course, I am very glad, but I am tremendously proud of my players and all people at the club who have worked very hard to help me achieve what we achieved tonight,” Pusic, a Croat, mentioned.
“Unfortunately, because of the situation in the country, you can call this a home game but for us it is a tremendous part — the travelling, and sometimes we need one or two days extra to recover of course,” he added.
“It is not so easy… It is important also for Ukrainian football to represent the country in Europe like we did tonight.”
Even if Shakhtar fail to succeed in the knockout phases of the Champions League, a third-place end in the group would give them a ticket to the Europa League, the place they might come up in opposition to a few of Europe’s huge names together with Liverpool and Ajax.
“If we achieve that (last 16), it would be fantastic. If not then to stay in Europe would also be a great achievement, amazing achievement even, for this club under those circumstances,” Pusic mentioned.
Georgiy Sudakov, named man of the match, mentioned Pusic had taken him apart after the recreation.
“He said (to me): ‘Trust me, this is only the beginning,'” Sudakov mentioned.
Shakhtar held their very own from the begin.
Barcelona had gained the first match between the sides in October 2-1 however this time Pusic’s staff shut down the reigning Spanish league champions, who produced a solitary shot heading in the right direction.
Shakhtar pressured Marc-Andre ter Stegen into the first save of the recreation, with the German goalkeeper denying Mykola Matviyenko.
Ilkay Gundogan and Raphinha lashed over from distance as Barca had been pressured again by dogged Ukrainian defending and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski appeared woefully off form on his return to Germany, the place he had starred for Bayern Munich for so a few years.
The hosts took the lead a couple of minutes earlier than half-time, slicing the guests open when Giorgi Gocholeishvili took benefit of Barcelona left-back Marcos Alonso being a great distance out of place.
The full-back crossed for Sikan, who beat Andreas Christensen to go past the attain of Ter Stegen.
Shakhtar’s newest Brazilian import, the 18-year-old Newerton, scored a shocking second in the last phases however it was chalked off for offside — it will have been an excellent technique to crown a wonderful night time for Pusic’s staff.
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