The main victory for Manchester City last season was the court decision, according to which the team received admission to the European competition. Yes, in the English Premier League Pep Guardiola became vice-champion, which is worthy of respect, but the defeat in the Champions League quarter finals from Lyon can hardly be called a success. After five rounds of the current championship of England, the “townspeople” settled in an unusual 11th place. The Blues have won two victories over Wolverhampton (3:1) and Arsenal (1:0) and a draw with Leeds (1:1). In the second round the Mancunians sensationally lost to Leicester (2:5). Gabriel Jesus, De Bruyne, Laporte and Mendy will not be able to participate today. Zinchenko’s participation in the field is still in question.
The Ukrainian champion also started a new championship ambiguously. The Pitmen have won three times and drew three times in six rounds. Vorskla and Dynamo started better, so Shakhtar is third in the league. Luis Castro’s charges added in the last three meetings. The Pitmen defeated Olimpik (2:0), defeated Lviv (5:1) and drew with Desna (2:2). In the group stage of the Champions League, Shakhtar is a regular guest. However, the Pitmen have not advanced beyond the final yet. In the 1/8 finals the Donetsk team last appeared in the 2017/18 season. In the next two rallies the Ukrainian club took third place in the group. From the last Champions League season, Shakhtar’s good away results can be noted. The Ukrainians defeated Atalanta on the road (2:1), drew with Manchester City (1:1) and broke up with Dynamo Zagreb (3:3). Ismaily is injured at Shakhtar. The participation of Sergei Bolbat, Evgeny Konoplyanka and Vladislav Vakula is questionable.
