An incredible pair of wins with 11 goals scored in the Ukrainian Premier League since the turn of the year has seen Shakhtar Donetsk draw level on points with Dnipro-1 at the top of the standings. That should be ideal preparation ahead of this UEFA Europa League (UEL) round of 16 first-leg tie in Shakhtar Donetsk temporary home of Warsaw, which is where they will play due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The current nomadic existence of Shakhtar Donetsk has taken a toll on the side, with Igor Jovićević’s side only winning at the fourth attempt here in Warsaw in their latest ‘home’ match against Rennes (W1, D2, L1). That result will surely boost confidence though, with Shakhtar Donetsk now aiming to further strengthen their five-game European home form (W4, L1) along with their two qualifications from three prior UEL round of 16 ties.
That will be easier said than done against this high-flying Feyenoord side, who enter this on the back of six consecutive wins that have both kept them at the peak of the Eredivisie table and put them into the KNVB Beker semi-final. With dreams of a treble-winning season burning brightly, last season’s Europa Conference League finalists enter uncharted territory in their first-ever UEL round of 16 tie.
Arne Slot’s men will hope to put in a strong showing considering they have no competitive road defeats in 2023 to their name (W4, D2), although they’re yet to win on their European travels this term (D1, L2). In fact, Feyenoord haven’t won a UEL away game across their last 13 (D5, L8), a winless run which isn’t complimented by their all-time drought when playing away to Ukrainian opponents (D2, L3).
Players to watch: Two-time Eredivisie winner with Ajax, Shakhtar Donetsk Lassina Traoré will be fired up to notch a second personal win against Feyenoord after scoring and assisting in his last appearance. Trying to outdo him will be Feyenoord Santiago Giménez, who was the joint top-scorer during the UEL group stage (G4). His goals haven’t dried up since then with four across his last six competitive appearances.
Hot stat: Shakhtar Donetsk have never drawn a game across their six meetings with Dutch opponents (W2, L4).
