With Shakhtar Donetsk unable to play their UEFA Champions League fixtures in Ukraine due to the ongoing war that continues to plague the area, the club will grace the turf of Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion throughout the 2023/24 campaign. On Tuesday, they welcomed FC Porto to Germany to kickstart Group H.
SHA: Riznyk; Miroshi, Rakitsky, Lemkin, Konoplya; Sudakov, Stepanenko, Nazaryna; Sikan, Kelsy, Zubkov
FCP: Costa; Sanusi, Carmo, Pepe, Mário; Eustáquio, Varela; Galeno, Jaime, Franco; Taremi
Porto’s travelling fans didn’t have to wait long at all to celebrate the opener at the Volksparkstadion, with Wenderson Galeno finding the back of the net after just eight minutes. Mehdi Taremi sought to tee up André Franco for a strike from distance, but a poor connection and a half-hearted clearance from Dmytro Riznyk allowed the midfielder to pounce.
The second goal of the evening came five minutes later, with Shakhtar restoring parity after a free-flowing attacking move. Oleksandr Zubkov played Yukhym Konoplya through on the right flank with a well-timed pass for the overlapping defender, and his cross was met sweetly by Kelsy who nodded a headed effort past Diogo Costa to equalise.
That lead – and the associated celebrations – were shortlived. Merely two minutes after dragging themselves level, Shakhtar found themselves trailing once more. Galeno completed his brace, with the forward latching onto a dreadful pass from the Ukrainian defence to thread a strike low past Riznyk.
And just before the half-hour mark, Porto’s lead was further extended – this time courtesy of Taremi. Galeno was involved once more though, darting down the left flank before crossing for the striker, who pounced on a dismal Shakhtar defence to side-foot a composed effort into the back of the net.
Porto squandered opportunities to further bolster their goal difference, including when Taremi blew a chance at the near post after failing to send Jaime’s cross towards goal. A subpar second half would see Shakhtar desperate to claw themselves back into contention, though their highlight was Zubkov’s effort that was palmed behind by Costa with ease.
Shakhtar Donetsk return to European action on 4 October, as they travel to Royal Antwerp. FC Porto will welcome Barcelona on the same date.
