Shakhtar Donetsk put on a spectacular performance against Real Madrid on Tuesday night. The Ukrainians almost achieved a famous victory in the night. However, a late goal from Antonio Rüdiger meant the match ended level at 1–1.
Oleksandr Zubkov initially gave Shakhtar the lead one minute into the second half. The Ukrainian international put the ball into the back of the net with a header that was just out of reach of the Real defender Ferland Mendy. Interestingly, Zubkov scored the goal against the Real Madrid goalkeeper and fellow Ukrainian, Andriy Lunin.
The aforementioned Rudiger managed to finish off with a header and score in the last minute of added time. Although there was a heavy collision between the defender and the Shakhtar goalkeeper, the ball bounced off the post and into the net to level the score.
While not getting all three points may be a disappointment for the Ukrainians, the team’s performance was brilliant. Before the match, which was played in Poland, Shakhtar’s sporting director Darijo Srna stated that the team was playing a difficult game for Ukraine.
“It is very difficult but they are all heroes,” Srna proclaimed. “They understand that everyone plays for Ukraine. They want to send some positive emotions to our army, to our friends, to our families. Today the whole of Ukraine is watching this match and I am proud of this team.”
“I am very proud of this team,” he continued. “We are doing something incredible. We are showing the world how to fight for our country.”
The heroic Shakhtar Donetsk takes a point from Real Madrid
Obviously based in the city of Donetsk, Shakhtar have had to relocate their base due to the Russian invasion. They have played domestic games in Kyiv, which is further west of their city and Russia. However, the Ukrainian club have also made Lviv their temporary home.
Lviv is about 745 miles west of Donetsk and quite close to the Polish border.
However, Shakhtar previously signed a one-year deal to play their European matches in Warsaw, Poland. Domestic matches within Ukraine are currently played without an audience. But, like tonight, people can attend the Champions League matches in Poland.
Travel between cities has been stressful for the club. Shakhtar also postponed one match due to the long journey from Warsaw to Ukraine for each match. Srna stated that this weekend’s Major League game against Dynamo Kyiv could also be affected due to travel.
PHOTO: IMAGO / NewsPix
