Nikolai Baletsky - about why the match with Hoffenheim is so important for Shakhtar.
Shakhtar in the match of the 5th round of the Champions League group stage will play away with the German Hoffenheim. The closest match for the Pitmen is not easy: the Fonseca team needs to not only play well, but win in order to cling to Eurovision.. The victory makes Shakhtar a very likely participant in the playoffs of the Europa League, and also gives theoretical chances for the playoffs of the Champions League.
At the moment, the club from Donetsk is leading in the championship, it is considered a favorite in the Ukrainian Cup, but we all know that the success of the performances in the season will be determined by the results in the European competition. Today, Shakhtar is close to failure, but only one match can save the season.
The Pitmen approach the important match with losses. Marlos and Yaroslav Rakitsky will not be able to help the Donetsk club due to injuries. Place the Brazilian on the field will take Sergey Bolbat. If earlier this position caused some fear in the attack, now the more important question has appeared: "Who will play in the center of defense?".
At the press conference of Paulo Fonseca, I expressed the assumption that he would most likely put Nikolay Matvienko on the field with a couple of Kryvtsov, leaving David Khocholava on the bench. By the way, being in the youth team of Shakhtar, Matvienko played the central defender.
The coach did not begin to contradict, saying that Matvienko is a cool footballer who will definitely not spoil the game of the Miner and who likes to always and everywhere play his own style. But how to play a pair of unplayed defenders in an important match for the team? Hoffenheim loves to attack. Over the last 4 matches, the German club sent 11 goals to their opponents.
We have little left to evaluate the real strength of the miner for today - just one match..
Text online broadcast of the match Hoffenheim - Shakhtar will be available today on Football. ua. Kick-off at 22:00.