Shakhtar's Friendly Match Against Dila Gori
In a recent friendly, Shakhtar Donetsk secured a victory over Georgian club Dila Gori. The Ukrainian side established a commanding early lead, scoring twice within the first ten minutes. Izaqui opened the scoring from a free-kick, followed by a goal from midfielder Smetana from outside the penalty area. At the start of the second half, Lassina Traoré extended the lead to 3-0, scoring on the rebound after missing an initial penalty kick.
However, Dila Gori mounted a swift comeback, netting two goals in a five-minute span. Fuller scored from a free-kick for the Georgian side, and Shekiladze added another from the penalty spot. In a separate friendly, Shakhtar suffered a defeat to Cherkasy's LNZ, with midfielder Oleh Ocheretko scoring their sole goal in that match.
Conference League Roster Adjustments
Shakhtar has now submitted an updated squad list for the UEFA Europa Conference League. Coach Arda Turan is counting on new signing Prosper Obah and Lassina Traoré for the playoff stage, while defenders Marian Fara and Diego Arroyo have been removed from the roster. Shakhtar's Brazilian player Pedrinho has also expressed his openness to considering a call-up to the Ukrainian national team, though he clarified he has not held talks regarding obtaining Ukrainian sporting citizenship.
The match against Dila was a crucial part of Shakhtar's preparation for upcoming competitions, particularly in the context of the Conference League.
Source: FC Shakhtar Donetsk official website
These squad changes, including the integration of new players and the absence of certain defenders, highlight the club's active efforts to strengthen the team. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has forced Shakhtar to play its home matches abroad, adding a layer of complexity to their European campaign. Pedrinho's potential commitment to the Ukrainian national team further underscores the international dimension of the squad, which could influence the club's profile and future prospects.