Marino Pušić's charges secured third place in the Group N of Champions League and moved on to Europa League. There, they started their journey from the play-off round where they were drawn against Ölympique de Marseille. Today, Shakhtar hosted the French team in Hamburg for what was their first official match of 2024.

The opening 45-minute period saw both teams on equal footing. They took turns to dominate possession and there was plenty of physical play too. The best chance for the orange-and-black came early when Zubkov's shot hit the crossbar, forcing a save from the goalkeeper. A few other dangerous attacks by the miners failed to find their mark.

The second half started better for Marseille: Unahé had a close-range effort saved by Riznik, and Jigó headed over from a corner. The Ukrainians responded with another dangerous shot from Zubkov that went wide of the post. Soon after, defenders of Shakhtar forgot about Enríque on the far post but he missed his chance. In the next attack, López parried Sikan's sharp-angle effort.

On the 64th minute, the French opened the scoring — Aubameyang converted Kloss' cross in the box. However, the miners quickly equalized when Matviyenko took advantage of a mistake by Kloss on a set-piece near their own goal. Marseille immediately responded with another dangerous moment but Enríque's shot was off target.

On the 90th minute, the French managed to score again — Aubameyang broke into the box and squared it for Ndjeïa who beat Riznik. However, Shakhtar quickly restored parity when Egnaldu finished off Zubkov's cross. In summary, a goalless draw — 2:2. The return leg will take place on February 22 in Marseille.

In the lineup for Shakhtar, players who were called up to the national team recently took part in the match: Riznik, Konoplyanka (yellow card, substituted at 77'), Bondar (yellow card), Matviyenko (goal), Stepanenko (substituted at 72'), Zubkov (yellow card, assist for a goal), Sudakov, Sikan (substituted at 77'), Nazarina (came on as substitute at 72').

Europa League. Play-off round. First leg

Shakhtar (Ukraine) — Olympique de Marseille (France) — 2:2 (0:0)

Goals: Matviyenko (68'), Egnaldu (90+3') — Aubameyang (64'), Ndjeïa (90').

Shakhtar: Riznik, Konoplyanka (Gocholishvili, 77'), Bondar, Matviyenko, Azarov, Stepanenko (c) (Nazarina, 72'), Zubkov, Bondarenko (Traoré, 90+2'), Sudakov, Egnaldu, Sikan (Kevin, 77').

Substitutes: Rudko, Kryskiv, Shevchuk, Kelcey, Pedrinho, Nevéton, Rakitskiy, Tsukanov.

Coach: Marino Pušić.

Olympique de Marseille: López, Enríque (Ndjeïa, 72'), Kloss (c), Jigó, Balerdí, Merlen, Aréat, Konadu-Yiadom, Unahé, Mumbwana (M'Baye, 90+2'), Aubameyang (Correa, 90+2').

Substitutes: Ngapandouetnbu, Blanco, Soglo, Tunkadí, Mbemba.

Coach: Gennaro Gattuso.

Referee: Erik Lambrecht (Belgium).

Yellow cards: Konoplyanka (49'), Zubkov (78'), Egnaldu (90+3'), Bondar (90+5') — Balerdí (27').

February 15. Hamburg. Volksparkstadion.