Can Shakhtar reach Champions League play-offs? Everything you need to know about their opponents

The new Champions League promises a very interesting and... incomprehensible format. Shakhtar have received their 8 unique opponents, with whom they will have to play a game in the battle for a direct ticket to the European spring. UEFA has promised that 7.6 points will be enough for the teams to advance. OBOZ.UA will try to calculate our chances of making it to the playoffs of the new CL with representatives of six such different championships.

Bologna

Have not met before

Season 23/24: did not play in European competitions

Greatest achievement in the CL: preliminary round of 64/65

Shakhtar's first opponent in the Champions League is very interesting as Bologna is returning to the Champions League after years. Before the draw, they looked very formidable; now they are more likely to be an opportunity to pick up some easy points. The team lost the explosive success of last season in the transfer market: they sold Calafiori, Zirkzee, Binks, and there are no high-profile additions to the squad, only the well-known strikers Dallinga and Cambiaghi. The Bolognese have not been able to switch to the new format for a month now, and if we do not use this mega opportunity for 3 points, it will be a bad call. The first game of the new CL for Ukrainians will take place in Italy on September 18, at 19:45.

Borussia D

Previously met 4 times (0-1-3)

Season 23/24: finalist

Greatest achievement in the CL: winner of the 96/97 season

Borussia will finish the group stage and we should be very careful. They are a finalist in the last CL and one of the most combative teams in Europe. The style is unlikely to change: the newly appointed Şahin has ideas, but he came to the helm from under Terzić, whose style he is rebuilding to suit himself. We have never succeeded with Dortmund and the chance of winning this match, to be honest, is very low. And the fact that we play them in January, when the UPL break is in full swing, adds to the difficulties. It's a mental game for Pušić.

Arsenal

Previously met 4 times (2-0-2)

Season 23/24: quarterfinals

Biggest achievement in the CL: finalist 05/06

The English giants seemed to easily accept the challenge of the next season, but the draw against Brighton showed the problem of their team's consistency and interdependence. Although it is by no means true that the modern Arsenal is an easy option: we play them in mid-October, which is the heyday of Arteta's genius. The Londoners will direct their attacks, mainly through the right flank and Saha, to Matviienko's area. There is expected to be an overload, so we should think about a safety net and a low block to prevent Arsenal's star strikers from reaching their potential.

PSV

Have not met before

Season 23/24: 1/8 finals

Greatest achievement in the CL: winner of 87/88

PSV has made it to the Champions League group stage 5 times in the last 10 years alone, but fate has never brought them together with Shakhtar. And now this moment has come: we will face a tough team. The Eindhoven side are great at creating chances (111 goals last season and 18 since the beginning of this season in just 4 games) and defend well in positional attacks. The weakness here is in speed, as PSV has high control of the other half, which, if it fails, will give space for Sikan or Eguinaldo. It is the Ukrainians' duty to take points.

Bayern Munich

Previously met 2 times (0-1-1)

Season 23/24 in the CL: semifinals

The greatest achievement in the CL: 6-time winner

In the case of Bayern, there's no need to talk about chances: the German machine is on a roll. Of course, the season under Kompany has just begun, but so far the Germans are undefeated. In fact, they have not lost a single game of any status under the new coach. The schedule was funny because that Munich dropped out at the end of the first half of the UPL season, and Dortmund - during the winter break. In short, it was difficult historically, and now it will be difficult in terms of calendar.

Brest

Have not met before

Season 23/24: did not play in European competitions

Biggest achievement in the CL: debutant

Another last season miracle was the French Brest, but it also seemed to have gained bad experience at Bologna: too weak in Ligue 1 and losing almost all friendly matches in the summer. It seems that all the winning skills were irretrievably lost somewhere. For Shakhtar, this team will be another new rival in the European competitions. And it is also an opportunity to take some points in the most difficult, last stage of the group stage, when the schedules before the final part of this stage will be clear.

Atalanta

Previously met 2 times (1-0-1)

Season 23/24: winner of the Europa League

Biggest achievement in the CL: 19/20 quarterfinals

If we may say so, then our grand champion was lucky with the Italians. Both Bologna and Atalanta are looking for a game. There are still half a month to go before the meeting, but the system is already aware of the problems of the Bergamo team - they are confused after the Europa League triumph. Opponents in Serie A are allowed to shoot from a distance, play near the goal or run out into space in massive attacks. Atalanta has two active players so far, both in the attack. As for defense, it's like a fence with holes in it. And for Shakhtar, this is an opportunity to pick up bonus points.

Young Boys

Previously met 2 times (1-0-1)

Season 23/24: group stage

The biggest achievement in the CL: semifinals 58/59

The most mysterious and inconvenient European team for the Ukrainian club. It seems that our football is on par with Swiss one, but every time the UPL giants find themselves in trouble with Young Boys. Although right now they are an ideal point donor because they are not doing well in the league, and it was very difficult to get into the Champions League group. It's a pity that Shakhtar will meet them in November. Let's remember that if something doesn't work out for the Swiss, they will start fouling for red cards. It's a superficial but simple way to succeed in one match, where everything is decided by chance.