On February 24, 2024, Shakhtar Donetsk faced Levoberezhzhya in the highly anticipated 18th round of the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) at Arena Lviv. The match commenced at 18:00 with Shakhtar desperately seeking to maintain its position amid stiff league competition, particularly after recent performances by rivals Dynamo Kyiv and Oleksandriya, both of whom secured victories over the weekend.
Shakhtar entered this match ranked third, possessing 33 points from 10 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses, showcasing a healthy goal difference of 41:15. The team's recent form included mixed results; they dealt with inconsistency following draws and losses, particularly during their Champions League campaign, where they faced stiff opposition, finishing last among their group.
Levoberezhzhya, on the other hand, was newly promoted and fighting for survival, sitting 14th on the table. Their minimal aim was to avoid relegation, having sufficiently built momentum with 16 points by securing three matches without defeat just before the winter break. The squad was optimistic about shaking off the lower rankings as they took to the pitch against the experienced Shakhtar side.
The officials for the match included referee Oleksandr Afanasyev from Kharkiv, who was tasked with ensuring fair play as these two teams clashed. The crowd at Arena Lviv anticipated fierce competition, especially after noting the similarity of the teams’ previous encounter, where Shakhtar emerged victorious with the same 1-0 scoreline.
Shakhtar's coach, Marinko Pusic, deployed Dmytro Riznyk as goalkeeper, supported by defenders like Mykola Matviyenko and Vasyl Kryskiv. The midfield featured Kevin and Traor, with Marjan Šved rising as the standout forward. Meanwhile, Levoberezhzhya fielded Mikhail Mehanov as goalkeeper, protected by defenders like Semen Semenov and Andriy Shapoval. The lineup aimed to maintain firm positioning and capitalize on counter-attacks.
From the starting whistle, Shakhtar exhibited territorial control, pushing forward to find weaknesses in the opposition's defense. Despite their dominance, they faced tenacious resistance from Levoberezhzhya, whose compact defense managed to neutralize several initial initiatives. The visitors created the first genuine threat, with Sinița testing Riznyk from sharp angles, nearly scoring.
The first half ended without goals, yielding to strategic tactical shifts as the players regrouped for the second half. Levoberezhzhya's steadfast defense required commendation, with their intent to disrupt Shakhtar's usual attacking rhythm evident as they restricted movements and chances. Pusic's men, though unsuccessful at punctuating the scoreboard, demonstrated promise through continued pressure.
Upon the restart, Shakhtar intensified their efforts. The breakthrough finally came around the 61st minute when Marjan Šved scored, converting from a header following Traoré's aerial duel. This pivotal moment ignited joy among Shakhtar faithful and lifted the team's morale considerably. Šved’s abilities had drawn attention as he strategically positioned himself to finish the play.
After taking the lead, Shakhtar sought to extend the advantage but faced stout resistance as Levoberezhzhya countered. Notably, Mehanov made remarkable saves to deny attempts from both Nazarina and new forward Elias, who looked poised to double the scoreline but failed on multiple accounts.
Despite their late attempts to equalize, Levoberezhzhya managed few significant chances, and Shakhtar's defense held firm. The conclusion of the match saw Shakhtar celebrating another narrow triumph, maintaining their league aspirations as they locked down the match, finalizing the score at 1-0.
The key match statistics showed Shakhtar with 20 shots and 6 on target, whereas Levoberezhzhya managed only 3 weak attempts with none on goal. Corner kicks reflected Shakhtar's dominance, ending at 7 to 2. The victory places Shakhtar momentarily on solid ground as they prepare for their next encounter against Oleksandriya.
With this victory, Shakhtar Donetsk reaffirmed their efforts to keep pace near the top of the UPL standings, compelling Levoberezhzhya to reassess strategies as they strive to secure their place in the competitive elite of Ukrainian football.