"Yes, it was a miracle" - Artem Frankov on Shakhtar's victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League

Well-known Ukrainian journalist Artem Frankov commented on the victory of Shakhtar Donetsk over the German RB Leipzig (4:1) in yesterday's away match of the 1st round of the Champions League group stage.

“Yes, it was a miracle... A miracle that overturned the total negativity of expectations and forecasts, a miracle that lifted our conceit to new heights and put an end to any bad mood, a miracle given to us by Shakhtar players and coaches.

The team, which lost almost two sets of players due to the war, came to visit and in the first round of the Champions League took out one of the strongest teams in Germany on a shovel! With all the reservations - one of the strongest, league champion and semi-finalist of the Europa League !! The more valuable and wonderful this victory, on which I congratulate everyone.

Shakhtar played better than in the squad that was potentially much stronger. Such is the "harsh diagnosis".

Agree, “like gods” often sounded in the performance of commentators (you must admit, they are ideal for such a game!) It’s not at all accidental ... And yet, you need to start with celebrations and congratulations, with happy grasping of your own head and the head of a neighbor, perhaps (and then and necessarily) - the corresponding libations. How many sat down to watch this game with a heavy heart, expecting a maximum worthy defeat from it - and with what fucking during the match (how everyone exhaled in the 57th minute, when Soboslai brought Simakan to the kick, huh?!) and even more so in his At the end, we all perceived what was happening and what had happened.

Further - without emotions. Almost...

1. Shakhtar certainly put up with it. But let's put it differently: the masterfully built defense was extremely effective, allowing only two shots on target - Nkunku at 0-0 and, in fact, Simakan's goal.

2. Shakhtar, of course, was lucky, divinely lucky, lucky, as, perhaps, no luck has ever been in history. Such two goals at this level are given only for special merit, and I just suggest you decide for which ones. Here, one luck or the classic “lucky the strongest” cannot be dissuaded: the goals of Marian Shved after a wild mistake by Gulachi and from a double rebound do not fly so easily! In addition, there were two of them, which is already close to regularity.

The third is already a pure counterattack, the fourth is a magnificent combination on courage.

3. Igor Jovicevich completely outplayed his opponent Domenico Tedesco - 4-1-4-1 of the guests turned out to be much more dynamic and combat-ready than the sudden 4-2-3-1 of the hosts. I have a suspicion that the Leipzig coach is in a game with an opponent declared as a clear outsider (just don’t be smart in hindsight and say something like “what did you get it from”!

From that - for example, from betting odds), I decided to experiment, and where to give the players rest. There is another option: 0-4 against Eintracht forced Tedesco to look for new tactical options, and Shakhtar caught the Red Bulls just in such a restructuring. Until now, Leipzig has played consistently with three defenders, and Werner did not run at all as a left half, but as a clean forward in a pair.

The injury of Dani Olmo, who played for the Germans "under" the attackers, could also affect. Raum's exit (26 million + Angelino) only for the second half is a very symptomatic thing, as well as the initial absence of Raum and Henrichs' krais in general. I emphasize that before that they played stably at Leipzig.

However, the opponent's problems are his problems, and most importantly, these are our capabilities and our advantages. Which, however, must be recognized and used. Jovicevich and his team succeeded in full measure.

4. A clear personnel and "schematic" hit by the Shakhtar coach - Konoplya on the left, Shved's entry from the first minutes, Djurasek and Traore on substitutions - the first one gave to Sudakov during the third goal, the second one scored the fourth goal. Stepanenko is a habitual song, Mudrik is a song that is part of a pleasant habit, and so on.

5. The baton from Shakhtar is something that Dynamo and Dnipro must pick up on Thursday. Let's wish them that. We continue to hurt.

Miracles are possible! But you need to reach out for them, you need to believe in them - roughly speaking, to win the lottery, you need to at least buy a ticket, and not just pray for the prize to be sent down. Shakhtar did everything with their own hands and feet, and therefore, in conclusion, I once again urge you to return to your emotions and just have fun in an embrace with this result, ”Frankov wrote in his Telegram channel.