“Revenge for Donetsk's "Metalurh" – under this slogan, today's match was presented by almost the majority of Ukrainian media, "We only need victory to fulfill our tasks, we don't think about revenge," - the players of the local team never tired of repeating before the game with Greek "PAOK".

\n \nBe that as it may, everyone should be satisfied: Mircea Lucescu's club started by enriching itself with three important points in the tournament table, and those who wanted to "settle scores" with the Greeks because of the unfortunate "loss" of "Metalurh" to them, also probably calmed their pain, at least partially...

\n \nAlready during the first 10 minutes, the hosts made several good raids toward Fernandes's goal, however their efforts "shattered" either against the calm and confident play of the guests' goalkeeper, or against the instant actions of the "PAOK" defenders.

\n \nBrandao got the chance to change the zeros on the scoreboard in the 21st minute, however, being surrounded by opponents, he could not properly use the pass received from Srna. Then there was a shot "through himself" by Marica, a strike after a corner kick by Matuzalem (the goalkeeper barely managed to secure the ball in his hands), a series of set pieces near "PAOK's" last line, but... but the first 45 minutes ended with the most ordinary "donuts"... Moreover, Shutkov, who replaced his partner Jan Laštůvka in "Shakhtar's" goal before this game, could have calmly dozed off throughout this half: the Greeks turned out to be incapable of "warming up" our goalkeeper.

\n \nHalftime passes, and here it is – the moment! In the 50th minute, Elano has the opportunity to properly "strike" the ball, however the game ball again ends up in Fernandes's gloves, who caught it above his head...

\n \nAnother attempts by Tymoshchuk and Brandao (they end with hits on the guests' defenders or are marked by unfortunate inaccuracy), and here is your "gift": you can't score from open play, do it from the eleven-meter mark. The "author" of the "surprise" – Elano, who was somewhat held in the guests' penalty area...

\n \nBrandao stepped up to "remove the spell" from Fernandes's goal: a short run-up, a strike – and the stadium rises to its feet... "Shakhtar" wins – 1:0!

\n \nSitting back in defense while waiting for a real chance to equalize made no sense for "PAOK", however despite noticeable activation, the guests still contented themselves in most cases with creating chances exclusively from counterattacks...

\n \nAt the same time, the Donetsk side also created several dangerous episodes near the Greeks' goal, but in vain: representatives of the Brazilian legion took turns testing their skill, but with the same result. Srna "launched" the ball over the crossbar, a "PAOK" defender "stepped into" Aghahowa's shot, while Matuzalem hit the crossbar...

\n \nHowever 3 points are 3 points, especially in the group stage of the UEFA Cup. What the score is when you win – is not so important, the main thing is to collect the coveted points and fill in the "victories" column... Thus currently "Shakhtar" and "Stuttgart", which scored two goals in the last two minutes against French "Rennes" – 2:0, lead Group "G", having one successful match each in their account.

\n \n"SHAKHTAR" (DONETSK) – "PAOK" (GREECE) – 1:0.

\n \nGoals: Brandao 68

\n \n"Shakhtar": Shutkov, Srna, Lewandowski, Tolga, Rat, Tymoshchuk (c), Matuzalem, Duljaj, Elano, Brandao, Marica (Aghahowa, 58).

\n \nOn the bench: Laštůvka, Stoican, Hübschman, Jadson, Fernandinho, Vorobey

\n \n"PAOK": Fernandes, Udeze, Balafas (Sikabala, 72), Chasiotis, Konstantinidis, Akiel (Christodoulopoulos, 88), Iliadis, Zagorakis (c) (Engomitis, 86), Charalambous, Salpingidis, Mecel.

\n \nOn the bench: Tochouroglou, Koutsopoulos, Zografakis, Medjahed.

\n \nDespite predictions, Dnipropetrovsk's "Dnipro" stumbled in the very first round of the group stage of the competition. Our team always demonstrated genuine aggressive football in European competitions, clinging to every important point, and achieved this even despite negative results in the national championship of the country... So it was this year too (in qualifying and in the 1st stage of the Cup draw), but... the start in the group round turned out to be unsuccessful.

\n\nDutch "AZ Alkmaar", which at one time spoiled "Shakhtar's" plans, arrived in Dnipropetrovsk not in a very optimistic mood. Yes, the guests traditionally declared their readiness to fight for the needed victory, but at the same time openly expressed genuine respect for their opponent...

\n\nNevertheless, it was "Alkmaar" that ended up "on horseback"... One productive attack in each half – that's the "recipe" for success that the guests "brought to light" in today's match.

\nAlready in the 13th minute, one of the Dutch raids toward "Dnipro's" goal ended with a cross from the right flank, which Shota Arveladze effectively used – 1:0... in favor of our opponent.

\n\nSemochko and Shelayev tried to rectify the situation already in the first half, but in vain: accuracy was lacking. Instead, "Alkmaar" nearly used three more real chances to increase their lead on the scoreboard: first Kusliy pulled the ball from the lower corner of the goal after Perez's "sting", and before the break Arveladze once "sent" the ball next to the post, and in the second episode Artem Kusliy was "in play"...

\n\n52nd minute, and again the local fans fall silent in dismay: a corner kick near "Dnipro's" goal ends with a strike by Sektioui, who outjumped everyone in the battle "on the second floor" – 2:0...

\n\nIn the 72nd minute, Serhiy Matyukhin gave some hope, who took advantage of Meleshchenko's pass – 2:1, "AZ Alkmaar" still ahead. And, as it turned out, the Dnipropetrovsk side did have to lose all three points in the home game against their very first opponent in the group round of the competition.

\n\n"DNIPRO" (DNIPROPETROVSK) – "AZ ALKMAAR" - 1:2

\n\nGoals: Matyukhin 72 - Arveladze 13, Sektioui 52

\n\n"Dnipro": Kusliy, Yezerskyi, Radchenko, Rusol, Shershun (Motuz, 64), Shelayev, Matyukhin, Semochko (Kornylenko, 60), Nazarenko, Melashchenko, Andriyenko (Kravchenko, 43)

\n\nOn the bench: Kernozenko, Lysytskyi, Mykhaylenko, Kostyshyn.

\n\nAZ: Timmer, Jaliens, Opdam, de Cler, Landzaat, Arveladze (Ramzi, 90), Huijsegems, Perez, Sektioui (Meerdink, 83), Steinsson, Schaars.

\n\nOn the bench: Zwaartthoed, Buskermolen, Vlaar, Koevermans, Medunjanin.

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