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“No one has the right to forbid us to dream,” Viktor Skripnik told a pre-match press conference. But we don’t know to what extent the people of Lugansk are willing to go the extra mile to make their dreams come true, or perhaps they are still floating in the clouds after a huge win over AEK a week ago. English clubs are traditionally one of the most inconvenient rivals for Ukrainian teams, and Leicester, with its compact game and quick transitions from defense to attack, even more so. Of course we believe in Zorya, as long as there is a chance of making the playoffs then we have to fight.
European League. Fifth round
Stadium: Slavutich-Arena (Zaporozhye)
Chief Judge: Espen Escas (Norway)
Zarya (Lugansk, Ukraine) 19:55 Leicester City (England)
Online text broadcast of the match in UA-Football >>
The broadcast of the match on the television channels Football 1 and Football 2 can be seen in the online cinema sweet.tv
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Skripnik’s pupils are in a good mood. Three unbeaten matches, after a draw in the UPL with Vorskla (0: 0), the “whites-blacks” defeated AEK in the LE (3: 0), and then again in the UPL they faced “Minai” ( 3: 0). In fact, the people of Lugansk look very convincing, they attack a lot, they realize their possibilities and it is also important that they not get lost.
Zorya fans have reason to be optimistic. After several uncertain and even unsuccessful matches in September and October, Skripnik gradually brought the team to a decent level. The dedication and mutual understanding of the Lugansk people, as well as the ability to catch an opponent in error, deserve attention. It is no coincidence that these conclusions are confirmed by the “black-whites” in the game with “Leicester”.
In contrast, Brendan Rogers’ charges are on the decline. Judging by the results, the “foxes” have nothing to be proud of. First Liverpool beat Leicester 3-0, then a valid 3-3 draw with Braga and finally humble Fulham beat City last Monday. By the way, “Zarya” rested one more day after the UPL game and will receive more recent guests from England.
It is quite possible that Leicester will not play with the main lineup and try to save their strength in the Premier League. The Foxes have already solved the problem of leaving the Europa League group, so they can sacrifice (conditionally, of course) the match in Zaporozhye.
We remind you that Zorya has three victories in the group stage of the Europa League, this is not much, but the Luhansk team already has enough experience. In 2017 we were defeated by Atlético 1: 0 and Hertha 2: 1, and in addition, we already remember that AEK lost to Zara a week ago. Interestingly, the Luhansk team is a rather uncompromising team in the UEL group round: the last draw took place in 2016 in a 1: 1 match with Feyenoord. Only two draws were tied by the “whites-blacks” at this stage of the tournament, with 11 losses.
STATISTICS
“Zorya” and “Leicester” played only one match between them. In October this year, the English club defeated a rival from Ukraine 3: 0. More “foxes” did not meet with the Ukrainian teams.
But Zorya played twice for Man United in 2016 (again in the Europa League group). In England, the defeat was 0: 1, in Ukraine – 0: 2.
REFERENCE COMPOSITION
Skripnik has more problems with injured players, Khomchenovskiy, Tsvek, Grechkin and Makharadze, as well as the disqualified Vernidub, he will be greatly missed, Ivanisen should replace him in the center of defense. Cossacks in question. Rogers can’t count on Amarthei. Castan is questionable, fresh from injury, and Ndidi and Seyuncu are barely prepared. At the same time, some of the youngsters can be expected to play for the guests and give the players a break.
Zarya: Shevchenko – Favorov, Abu Khanna, Ivanisenya, Tsyganiks – Yurchenko, Perovich, Kochergin, Nazarina – Kabaev, Gromov.
Leicester: Schmeichel – Justin, Evans, Fofana – Thomas, Chowdhury, Thielemans, Albrighton – Under, Maddison – Iheanacho.
FORECAST
We can expect a cautious first half, each of the rivals will watch and wait for the opponent’s play, there is no point in forcing events. In addition, “Zorya” is holding the second half stronger, most likely all the most interesting will happen after the break. We are unlikely to see many goals scored, with a high probability that teams will exchange accurate shots. As much as he does not want the people of Lugansk to win, they will have to be content with a compromise. Forecast: tie 1: 1.
