Knockout football back with a bang in Kiev
The Europa League gets underway on Wednesday evening and my focus is in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk taking on Wolfsburg in Kiev. Not Shakhtar’s home ground, but still a much longer journey for Oliver Glasner’s visitors. The champions of Ukraine were 2-1 victors in the first leg at the Volkswagen Arena, and are favourites to get over the line both on the night and in the tie. Wolfsburg were hit and miss after the Bundesliga’s resumption, winning four out of nine to land themselves in seventh position. They will have to release the shackles in this encounter if they are to overturn the one goal deficit, also conceding two away goals. Which means that they will need to score at least twice to have any chance of progression.
Background
Despite the visitors only winning four matches since the COVID-19 pause in the season, all of Wolfsburg’s victoriesx came in away games. They are also unbeaten in eight of their nine trips, making them more suited to this leg of the tie. Shakhtar have wrapped up their ninth league title in 11 seasons since the first leg, not an achievement that should encourage many, Wolfsburg would be just as dominant in that division.
Key men
Young winger Tete is a bit of a wildcard selection as one of the hosts’ most dangerous players. The 20-year-old Brazilian bagged four goals in the final six games of the season and in that will be confident of causing problems against a sometimes brittle Wolves backline. Wolfsburg conceded 10 goals in their last four Bundesliga matches, John Brooks and Marin Pongracic at the centre of defence will need to improve on that form to give their side a chance of overturning the aggregate scoreline. Tete can play in any position behind the main striker, so in that may be harder to pick up as a defender, the former Gremio man is comfortable with the ball at his feet in most attacking areas.
One of the only positives of the end of the Bundesliga campaign for Oliver Glasner was the return to form of Wout Weghorst, the tall Dutch striker had a slow start as did many to the resumption of play, but turned up the heat as it progressed, notching his side’s final four goals. 20 goals and five assists boast the best season of his career and turning 28 at the end of week may provide further motivation for Weghorst to show what he is made of on Wednesday evening.
If they perform to their highest level the Wolves have what it takes to qualify, however the long trip to Ukraine is not ideal.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Wolfsburg were not at the races, Shakhtar ran out convincing 3-0 victors.