On September 18, Shakhtar's players will play the opening match of the Champions League group stage - against Italian Bologna. Former Shakhtar player Serhiy Yashchenko made a prediction for this confrontation:
Photo: shakhtar.com"From a strategic perspective, it is very good that the Pitmen before the exam in Italy defeated Karpaty in the sixth round of the Ukrainian league, taking advantage of their opponent's tactical miscalculations. This victory will give Shakhtar confidence, especially in attack.
Of course, Bologna, unlike Karpaty, will adopt a more pragmatic soccer and the Pitmen will not have such an operational space to find the shortest route to the goal as they did with Lviv. I think that the Pitmen should also benefit from the fact that Bologna are unsuccessful in Serie A, being among the outsiders. This will also have a negative impact on the Italians' performance tomorrow, although they have enough big-name players who can rally together. Especially with the support of their home walls.
Still, more international experience, a balanced squad, with all the leading players in the line-up should help Shakhtar to take the lead with a two goal advantage," Yashchenko said.
