Faroe Premier League: Gameweek 12
Game of the Week: Zenit - Shakhtar
At first glance, it is hard to explain how these two teams can be struggling at the bottom end of the table. These are two very exciting lineups, but two lineups that undoubtedly are stronger in attack than in defence. New Zenit manager Rafa Benitez tries to inspire the Russians to lift themselves off the bottom spot, by facing their strong rivals in Ukrainian Shakhtar.
However, Benitez did not get the start he wanted at his new club. Only 3 minutes in, and the one man you would not want to give a chance, was played clean through after an exquisite passing move. Zlatan did what Zlatan does. He hammered the ball home. 1-0 Shakhtar.
Despite going behind, Zenit looked inspired, and took complete charge of the proceedings. After several good team moves, it took a moment of individual brilliance to even things up. Hulk got the ball 40 metres from goal, dribbled past 3 players and hammered a shot in at the near post. 1-1!
This spurred Zenit on, and only 3 minutes later, they were ahead! A good corner from Hulk was floated in, and Garay rose to hammer a header home. 2-1 to the Russians.
In a very exciting game, both teams threw caution to the wind, and went all out attack. Several chances were created before half time, but the teams went into the break at 2-1 to Zenit.
However, only a few minutes after half time, Zenit left themselves open on the break, and Shakhtar played a slick passing move to send Yarmolenko through. He shot a bullet of a near-post shot past Oblak, and the score was 2-2.
Shakhtar were on fire now, and only 2 minutes later, Yarmolenko came down the left wing to send a tantilizing cross into the box. In came Zlatan, and you know what that means... A thunderous volley left Oblak with no chance, and Shakhtar were back in front. 2-3!
In one of the more entertaining games of the season, neither team seemed pleased. Zenit kept creating chances, and Shakhtar looked dangerous on the break. Both teams hit the woodwork after corners, and Hulk hammered a long shot off the post. But in the end, Zenit could not find the way through, despite massive pressure on the Shakhtar defence. Benitez looks to have invigorated Zenit, but the result was the same. A 3-2 win for Shakhtar.
Other Results
Milan go 4 points clear, as Kyiv suffer a shock defeat at home to Everton. Ajax get back to winning ways, as Leverkusen and Lyon also win. Inter win a high-scoring affair vs Shakhtar, and Benitez picks up his first points as Zenit manager. David Moyes gets sacked as Corinthians keep struggling to get results.