Opposition analysis: Shakhtar Donetsk

Champions League action returns, with Inter looking to secure their first points in the 2026/27 campaign. Fresh from an away win over Bologna in Serie A, the Nerazzurri welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to San Siro for Matchday 3 of the League Phase. Kick-off is scheduled for Wednesday 21 October at 21:00 CEST. Chivu’s side are yet to get off the mark after their opening two European fixtures, while Shakhtar have collected four points: a draw away to PSV in their opener, followed by a 3-1 victory over AEK Athens. A young and talented side, Shakhtar are managed for the second consecutive season by Arda Turan, who guided the club to their 16th Ukrainian league title and the Conference League semi-finals last season.

FORMATION AND STYLE OF PLAY

Since taking charge in May 2025, Arda Turan has shaped Shakhtar into a fluid and flexible 4-3-3, capable of switching to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 during different phases of a match. His side aims to maintain a clear technical identity in European competition, built around young players and a strong Brazilian contingent in keeping with Shakhtar’s tradition. They offer individual quality, pace and the ability to operate in tight spaces. Turan has developed a team that remains committed to building from the back and controlling possession, seeking to impose its style against any opponent. Their approach relies on playing out from defence and a technically gifted midfield capable of breaking lines and releasing the pace of the attacking wingers. Midfield is the key area for the Ukrainian champions. The two advanced midfielders are particularly effective at pushing forward quickly during attacking transitions, effectively becoming attacking midfielders who can create numerical superiority in central areas. With attacks frequently developing down the wings, the wide player has several options in the box, as well as the possibility of linking up with an overlapping full-back. This gives Shakhtar a wide range of attacking solutions, making them unpredictable and dangerous in several ways. However, the Ukrainians can leave spaces when opponents beat their initial press and force them to retreat, opening up gaps in midfield. Their desire to build attacks with plenty of players moving forward can leave space between defence and midfield or behind the full-backs. The risk increases when possession is lost with several players ahead of the ball. Against PSV, for example, the opening minutes of the second half exposed some weaknesses in their immediate defensive transition. The Dutch side equalised in the 48th minute, exploiting a low cross from the left and Sergiño Dest’s central run into the box.

START OF THE SEASON

Shakhtar have made a positive start to the season, building on last year’s league title triumph. Their domestic form has taken Arda Turan’s side to the top of the table, with eight wins from their opening nine matches, 20 goals scored and just five conceded. They have also started their Champions League campaign well: a 1-1 away draw against PSV was followed by a 3-1 victory over AEK Athens. Four points and four goals from their first two European fixtures, with three of those goals coming in the second half or late in the game.

Shakhtar aim to maintain their identity both domestically and in Europe, and their early-season results reflect an attacking approach, albeit with some differences between the league and the Champions League. In the Ukrainian Premier League, Turan’s side can control matches thanks to their players’ technical quality, reflected in an average of 65% possession, almost 2 xG per game and 13 shots per match. These figures point to a degree of dominance, but the same pattern has not carried over into Europe. Across their two Champions League fixtures, possession has fallen to 50%, while expected goals have more than halved, from 1.98 to 0.94, and shots on target have dropped from 6.25 to 3 per game. Beyond the numbers, however, Shakhtar have shown they can hurt opponents by making the most of their greatest strengths: the quality of their attacking players, the pace of their wingers and their dribbling ability. Their European goals illustrate this well. Mendoza’s two goals followed an almost identical pattern: taking on his marker on the left, cutting inside onto his right foot and finishing towards the far post. The penalty that brought Shakhtar level against AEK came from a transition that saw Alisson drive into the box before being brought down after cutting inside. The goal that made it 2-1 came from another move down the flank, finished by Vinicius Tobias after an overlapping run. These goals highlight Shakhtar’s attacking qualities. They are particularly dangerous when they can launch quick counter-attacks, combine skilfully in tight spaces and unleash the pace of their wingers.

KEY PLAYERS

Arda Turan works with a young squad, averaging 24 years of age, with a strong personality on the pitch and a blend of Ukrainian identity and Brazilian flair. The team’s leader is captain Mykola Matviyenko, a solid centre-back who came through the club’s youth system and returned to the first team in 2018. He is one of the most experienced players in both the Shakhtar squad and the Ukrainian national team. From midfield onwards, several players can make the difference thanks to their technical quality and ability on the ball. They can interchange positions and find space in different areas of the pitch. Pedrinho is particularly important in controlling possession, combining passing ability and vision with the personality to take responsibility for building attacks and delivering in decisive moments. Against AEK, for example, he converted the penalty that briefly made it 1-1.

Mendoza is one of Shakhtar’s main threats in one-on-one situations. Starting on the left, he accelerates, cuts inside and looks to shoot on his favoured foot. He scored against PSV and rounded off the win over AEK with a diagonal finish into the far top corner to make it 3-1. On the opposite flank, Alisson Santana can disrupt the opposition with individual runs and bursts in behind. Against AEK, he caused problems down the right, won the penalty for the equaliser and provided the assist for Vinícius Tobias, an attack-minded full-back whose forward runs were rewarded with the goal that made it 2-1.

Kaua Elias, a Brazilian striker born in 2006 who joined from Fluminense in 2025, leads the line. He can link up with teammates, attack the space between centre-backs and create opportunities for the wingers to make forward runs. In goal, Dmytro Riznyk is another key figure. He made several crucial saves against AEK before Shakhtar’s comeback, preventing the opposition from extending their lead. Another important player in the build-up is Marlon Gomes, a dynamic midfielder who operates in front of the defence, while Oleh Ocheretko has greater freedom to make forward runs. Newertton provides another wide option for Turan. The squad also includes other young Brazilian talents, such as Isaque and Lucas Ferreira, who can change the tempo when introduced from the bench. Shakhtar Donetsk head into their clash with Inter in positive form: top of the domestic league, reigning Ukrainian champions and fresh from their first European victory against AEK. Arda Turan’s side have a clear attacking identity, built around technically gifted and quick wingers, midfielders who contribute to the build-up and full-backs who push forward to support attacks. The teams meet at San Siro on Wednesday 21 October, with kick-off at 21:00 CEST.