UCL: Ukrainian Shakthar pull off a massive surprise as they stun Barca on neutral ground
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 07.11.23. | 22:49
Xavi's boys needed a single point to book their place in the knockout round, but a 1-0 loss complicates all...
What should have been just another routine win for the Blaugrana, which would not only seal their Champions League group stage triumph but also prove Xavi's team are back on track after El Clasico's loss - turned into a nightmare!
Barcelona lost 1-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night and, thus, jeopardized its chances to advance to the next round. At Volkspark Stadium in the German city of Hamburg - where the Ukrainian champion play their home games due to a war in their country - the favourites were below-par. Slow, confused, and disoriented, the culers were nowhere near a draw, let alone victory against the minnows.
⏱️ 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘:
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 7, 2023
🇺🇦 Shakhtar 1-0 Barcelona 🇪🇸#UCL pic.twitter.com/ZMv4O59Ecr
Despite the names in the attacking line like Lewandowski, Joao Felix and Yamal, Barca could not find the necessary composure.
On the other hand, high-flying 'refugees' looked determined and eager to make a statement. And they did it in some fashion.
With five minutes left on the clock before the interval, the underdogs demonstrated a piece of excellent teamwork, taking the ball promptly from the left-hand side to the right before Sikan nailed a header to stun the giants.
Albeit we all thought the second half would unfold much differently than the first part of the match, it proved to be nothing more than its carbon copy. Xavi even tried shaking things up with four subs at the same moment, bringing in Felix, Yamal, Balde and Gavi, but it simply didn't pay off. At all.
Moreover, it were Shakhtar who scored again, but the goal was deservedly voided due to offside.
Barca's UCL destiny has become increasingly uncertain.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - GROUP STAGE
Round 4
Tuesday
Dortmund - Newcastle 2-0 (1-0)
/Fullkrug 26, Brandt 79/
Shakhtar - Barcelona 1-0 (1-0)
/Sikan 40/
23:00: (1.35) Atl.Madrid (5.50) Celtic (10.0)
23:00: (2.60) Lazio (3.50) Feyenoord (2.85)
23:00: (3.35) Milan (3.50) PSG (2.25)
23:00: (5.80) Crvena Zvezda (4.10) RB Leipzig (1.65)
23:00: (1.10) Man.City (13.0) Young Boys (25.0)
23:00: (1.37) Porto (4.80) Antwerp (9.00)
Wednesday
20:45: (1.42) Napoli (4.50) Union Berlin (7.75)
20:45: (2.00) Sociedad (3.50) Benfica (4.10)
23:00: (1.25) Bayern (7.00) Galatasaray (12.0)
23:00: (4.50) Copenhagen (3.60) Man.Utd. (1.90)
23:00: (1.35) Arsenal (5.60) Sevilla (9.50)
23:00: (1.80) PSV (3.60) Lens (4.60)
23:00: (1.28) Real Madrid (6.75) Braga (10.5)
23:00: (6.00) Salzburg (4.00) Inter (1.65)
***odds are subject to change***
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