The Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, is set to host an intriguing Champions League encounter on Wednesday as Shakhtar Donetsk face Atalanta. Both teams are looking to secure their first win in the group stage after drawing their opening matches.
Shakhtar Donetsk, making their eighth consecutive appearance in the Champions League proper, began their campaign with a goalless draw against Bologna. The Ukrainian champions have struggled in recent years, failing to progress past the group stage for six seasons running. Under new coach Marino Pusic, Shakhtar completed a domestic double last season but have yet to find consistent form this term.
Atalanta BC, led by the experienced Gian Piero Gasperini, are back in the Champions League for the fourth time since 2019. They held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in their opener, with Mateo Retegui missing a crucial penalty. The Bergamo side’s recent European form has been patchy, winning just once in their last nine Champions League matches.
For Shakhtar, keep an eye on top scorer Artem Bondarenko and the creative Georgiy Sudakov. Sudakov was particularly impressive in last year’s group stage, creating the most chances (10) and completing the most passes (229) for Shakhtar.
Atalanta’s threat may come from Ademola Lookman, who scored five times in three Europa League starts at the end of last season. Summer signing Mateo Retegui will be eager to make amends after his penalty miss against Arsenal.
Shakhtar’s Pusic will likely set up his team to be compact and hit Atalanta on the counter-attack. The Ukrainian side’s ability to transition quickly from defense to attack could pose problems for Atalanta’s high-pressing style.
Gasperini’s Atalanta are known for their aggressive, attacking football. However, they’ve shown vulnerability at the back this season, conceding 12 goals in their first six Serie A matches. Finding the right balance between attack and defense will be crucial for the Italian side.
Team News
Shakhtar may be without striker Danylo Sikan, who suffered a nose injury in their opening match. Full-back Yukhym Konoplya has returned to the squad after recovering from a knock.
Atalanta hope to have defender Isak Hien back from an adductor problem, but Ben Godfrey, Rafael Toloi, Gianluca Scamacca, and Giorgio Scalvini remain sidelined. Lazar Samardzic could start after his late equalizer against Bologna at the weekend.
Expected Starting XIs
Shakhtar Donetsk (4-2-3-1): Riznyk; Konoplya, Matviyenko, Bondar, Pedrinho; Bondarenko, Kyrskiv; Zubkov, Sudakov, Newerton; Traore
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Kossounou, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Samardzic, Lookman; Retegui
Prediction
Given Shakhtar’s solid home record in Europe and Atalanta’s inconsistent form, this match could end in a closely contested draw. Both teams have the quality to score, but may struggle to find a winning edge.
Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Atalanta BC
