Approaching the Champions League MD2: our focus on Shakhtar Donetsk
With the League Phase's outing kicking off on Wednesday
Off to the Arena AufShalke in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday, October 2, Atalanta will play Shakhtar Donetsk at 18:45 CEST: the Nerazzurri's challenger for the 2024-2025 Champions League MD2 will thus cross paths with the Bergamo side for the third time in Continental competition, with the latter two occasions occurring in the 2019-2020 UCL's League Stage. Perfectly balanced, the overall states one win each.
Founded in May 1936, Futbol’nyj Klub Šachtar, or more commonly known as Shakhtar Donetsk, are, among other honours, the first Ukrainian Club to have lifted a European Club Competition trophy, namely the 2008/09 UEFA Europa League: additionally, Hirnyky's cabinet also comprises 15 league titles, 14 Ukrainian Cups, 4 Soviet Cup, 1 Soviet Supercup and 1 Uherencup.
Since 2023 the Donetsk side has been coached by Marino Pušić, a former footballer with a previous tenure as assistant coach at Dutch sides FC Twente, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord among others. With the Bosnian naturalized Dutch caretaker at its helm, the Ukrainian outfit has lifted one domestic title and one National cup.
As for Shakhtar Donetsk's seasonal domestic resume thus far, after drawing away at Vares Rivne in their latest Prem"jer-liha commitment, the black-and-orange side have moved up to 13 points in the standings and secured their foothold on the fourth place.