Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich: Score, Grades, Reaction from Champions League
Shakhtar Donetsk and Bayern Munich played out a dull 0-0 draw in their first-leg tie in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday night, with neither team willing to show its hand in a long game of poker.
Shakhtar were hosting their Bavarian visitors in the unfamiliar surroundings of Lviv—some 750 miles away from Donetsk—due to the current troubles in the Ukraine.
The home side chose a starting line-up packed with skill, with no less than six Brazilians in the starting XI. Bayern began the match with the surprise exclusion of Robert Lewandowski, who was left on the bench.
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The German champions still fielded a fantastic attacking side, though, as 101 Great Goals highlighted:
The Bundesliga outfit took control from the off as they attempted to display their superiority on the ball.
Bayern planted themselves in the Ukrainian half of the field and created several early opportunities without testing the keeper, with Thomas Muller going close in the 10th minute.
ESPN's Miguel Delaney spoke of the Germans' early dominance, making comparisons to Pep Guardiola's former side:
Shakhtar seemed content to simply hold their illustrious opponents, with Bayern not looking their best on the front foot despite dominating the ball.
The game soon descended into a tie of impetuous tackles and arguments, as Bayern looked to find a way to grab the first goal.
Muller was beginning to find increasing space as he attempted to burst forward. He had a half-chance in the 32nd minute, but he wasn't able to control his attempt in the penalty box and cleared the crossbar.
Ian Danter of talkSPORT commented on Bayern's lack of cutting edge as well as the lack of involvement of Shakhtar's star striker:
Yet despite their best efforts, Bayern looked somewhat jaded and did not have the killer touch, with the sides going down the tunnel for half-time goalless and tied.
UEFA.com reporter Richard van Poortvliet recognised the positives of the home team's display, feeling they could build on their defensive effort in the second half:
WhoScored.com also evaluated the first half of each player, scoring individual displays as well as highlighting Bayern's dominance in possession:
The second half continued in a similar fashion to the first, with Shakhtar unable to retain possession long enough to hurt the Germans.
However, the Ukrainians were given hope in the 66th minute, as Bayern's Xabi Alonso saw red for a second bookable offence. Alonso had run the risk of a second yellow on a couple of occasions, with the referee finally losing his patience and dismissing him.
Pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft said Alonso's accumulation of poor challenges gave the referee little choice:
Bayern were becoming increasingly impatient as time quickly evaporated away, and Guardiola decided to hunt for an opening goal, bringing on Lewandowski for the ineffective Mario Gotze.
But it was all completely in vain as Shakhtar sat deep and took everything Bayern could muster—which, on the night, was not enough.
The game ended 0-0, and Bayern are surely the overwhelming favourites to progress with home advantage.
Shakhtar know a well-timed away goal could blow this fixture wide open, but the home side's tactics on Tuesday night were painfully negative.
Relevant Player Grades
Arjen Robben: C-
It was a difficult night for Arjen Robben, with Shakhtar happy to contain and peg the German's pack.
Robben always looked his team's most likely threat and went on a dangerous run late in the game, having his shot blocked.
The Dutchman will feel he can make a bigger impact in the second leg, with the Bavarian home wind in his sails.
Luiz Adriano: F
On days like these, it is impossible to be a predatory striker when your team has no intention of feeding you.
Adriano has been sensational in European competition this term, scoring nine times, per WhoScored.com, but the Brazilian did not get a sniff on Tuesday night.
The second leg offers him the opportunity to grab a vital away goal, but he's unlikely going to power his team to the next phase.
Franck Ribery: D
It was a strange night for Bayern's mercurial Frenchman, with Ribery finding it difficult to create and fully impact the result. He did show flashes of inspiration, but Guardiola's team were far too happy with a goalless scoreline.
Bayern are packed with talent, but as a collective, they looked off the pace against a resilient Shakhtar defence.
Post-Match Reaction
Guardiola spoke after the match and appeared happy with his team's work, via Bayern's official Twitter account:
Guardiola also commented to Sky after the final whistle, per Peter Staunton of Goal.com, pointing towards Alonso's sending off as a turning point:
"We played with 10 men for a long time. That made it difficult for us. We controlled the match but we created few chances. It is always better to score an away goal. Now we have to win and we will do that.
"
Bayern's Twitter account also quoted Mario Gotze post-match, who stated his expectation of a win in the second leg:
".@MarioGoetze after #FCSDFCB: "We found it very difficult today but we have a second game, which we aim to win."
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) February 17, 2015"
The return leg happens on March 11, with Bayern the overwhelming favourites to progress into the quarter-finals.
