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Soccer is an unpredictable game. On Wednesday, Shakhtar achieved a delightful Madrid Champions League victory over Real Madrid, who punished Barça a few days later at El Clásico. The Shakhtar, in turn, with a similar composition and in the numerical majority could not beat at UPL Vorskla. Such “carousels” destroy any attempt to deduce the trend of the level and results of Luis Castro’s team.
The pogrom that Inter played with Shakhtar in the semi-finals of the Europa League in Germany in August is certainly still fresh in the memory. However, are you ready to bet a fortune on the fact that such a scenario will happen again? On the other hand, who is willing to risk and bet that the Pitmen will triumph in the trick that took place a few days ago in Madrid? That is why we love football, for its variety, unpredictability and originality.
Champions League. Group B. Second round
Ukraine. Kiev. NSC “Olympic”
Referee on the ground – Georgi Kabakov (Bulgaria)
Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine 19:55 Inter (Milan, Italy)
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Video broadcasting in Ukraine – “Soccer 1”, Oll.tv, MEGOGO
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Out: Ismaily, Junior Moraes, Evgeniy Konoplyanka, Fernando, Sergey Krivtsov (all – Shakhtar) – Stefano Sensei, Alexis Sánchez (all – “Inter”)
In fact, you could now play with the August loss: trying to catch Inter by understatement. Whatever they say, but after such matches in the subconscious of the winners there is a touch of lightness and self-superiority. However, the result of the Madrid match probably caused Antonio Conte to take another look at Shakhtar. Forced to prepare for it from scratch.
This is already a challenge for Luis Castro. The Portuguese, to the accompaniment of the criticism that fell on him after a mediocre run of results in the Premier League, ideally took advantage of the opportunities that “Real” offered him. However, there will probably be a different game against Inter: chances will not appear by themselves, they will have to be seized.
The situation is juicy. The victory over Real Madrid was a brilliant glimpse, but it did not guarantee anything for the Pitmen in the context of their fight to reach the playoffs. Rather, it only increased the cost of possible future errors. After all, not leaving the quartet after the team’s success on the field from the first basket can reduce Kashtra’s grandiose victory to the rank of opportunity.
For Inter, this game is important in its own way. The team in recent history cannot take over the Scudetto, in August they lost the Europa League final, and have not played in the Champions League playoffs for more than eight years. Returning to the elite tournament (2018/19 season), Inter won just four victories in thirteen matches here. They lost to Barça (including their double), Tottenham and Borussia D and lost points to modest PSV and Slavia. The draw against Mönchengladbach in the first round of the current Champions League was a logical continuation of the series.
Approximate compositions
This time, Luis Castro has a wider range of options than the game against Real Madrid. Taras Stepanenko, Andriy Pyatov, Nikolai Matvienko, Alan Patrick, Tyson, Sergei Bolbat and Viktor Kovalenko returned to the ranks. Neither played on base against Vorskla, but Stepanenko, Patrick, Tyson and Matvienko came on as substitutes.
Castro is not believed to use the composition for the third time in a row without those who have recently been ill with coronavirus. Firstly, the rule about the winning clip didn’t work against Vorskla, and secondly, after all, this will be the Pitmen’s third game in the last seven days. Rotation is trivial to reduce load and stress.
Trubin should remain in goal, but someone from the Bondar-Khocholava pair could be sent off by Nikolai Matvienko in the center of defense. Kashtra is unlikely to leave Viktor Kornienko in reserve. Taras Stepanenko and Alan Patrick will be useful in the tough and tight football that Inter will offer. Marlos will play closer to the offensive line. But it is unknown if the technician will trust Tyson, who once again emphasized that he is counting the days until the end of the contract. Solomon and Tete deserve a permanent spot at the base with their game.
Some of them may try to play as a center forward, although Dentinho does a good job there.
Trubin – Dodo, Matvienko, Khocholava, Kornienko – Stepanenko, Patrick – Tete, Marlos, Tyson – Dentinho
Compared to the August match, Conte has momentum that he is willing to apply. First of all, we are talking about Ashraf Hakimi and Arturo Vidal, whom we are waiting for at the base. The tactic will not change with three centers, among which there is probably no place for Kolarov.
The venture with D’Ambrosio and De Vrey will be complemented by Bastogne. Hakimi and Young will cover the flanks from one line to another. Conte won’t come up with anything but the Lukaku-Martinez combination ahead. Barela will be located high up in the triangle in midfield, Vidal and Brozovic are ready to play between two free throws.
Handanovic – Hakimi – D’Ambrosio, De Vrey, Bastoni – Young – Brozovic, Vidal – Barela – Martinez, Lukaku
Prediction – draw 1: 1
The victory over Real Madrid in the first round will allow the Pitmen not to force events in this match. Castro’s team should be satisfied with a draw, but for Inter it will be a bad result. Therefore, perhaps the Nerazzurri will not wait for the opponent to open up.
Shakhtar should have more space than in the August game. If we manage to avoid mistakes when passing in their own half of the field, the task of “Inter” will become more difficult. In the last two Champions League draws, Inter have lost points in games against much weaker rivals.
This forecast is only one of the possible scenarios for the development of events; does not guarantee a win
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