Vice-champion of Ukraine Shakhtar came closer to the group stage of the Europa League.
The match was Shakhtar’s without any problems – the Turks are practically not attacked, giving the miners the ball and territory. In the first half, the visitors ‘ advantage was embodied in two goals – Rakitskiy not without the aid of a deflection and scored after a corner kick and Kovalenko shot from the second floor rounded out a perfect pass Stepanenko.
After the break, Shakhtar players began to do their favourite thing, Marlos and the company regularly squandered threat of attack, losing a few gorgeous chances for final closure of the intrigue in the match. In the 56th minute one of rare attacks “Basaksehir” led to a penalty, the experienced Emre beat Pyatov.
1:2 not in favor of Turks lasted until the final whistle. Of chances, “Shakhtar” was no more, and all their promising attack
the Pitmen safely ruined, leaving “Basaksehir” a chance for the resumption of intrigue in the return match at the Arena Lviv.
Istanbul Basaksehir — Shakhtar 1:2
Goals: Emre, 56 (penalty) — Rakitskiy, 24, Kovalenko, 41
Istanbul Basaksehir: Babacan — Alkalic (Dieng, 72), Ayhan, Epureanu, Osetron — Tekdemir, Emre (Holmen, 75) — Višća, Mossoró, Madureira (Anderson, 46) — Cikalleshi
Shakhtar: Pyatov — Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Ismaily, Fred, Stepanenko, Rakitskiy, Kovalenko (Malyshev, 87), Tyson (This, 80) — Ferreira (Eduardo 70)
Warning: Tekdemir, Mossoró — Ismaily
