Viktor Skrypnyk has decided to field an attack-minded starting eleven as "Zorya" Luhansk prepares to face Premier League newcomers "LNZ" Cherkasy in the opening round of the Ukrainian top flight. The match kicks off at 18:00 Kyiv time at the Dynamo Stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskyi.
"We've analyzed our opponents carefully and prepared accordingly," the coach might explain about his tactical decisions for this important season opener.
The experienced Luhansk manager has opted to start with Perduta and Yanich in defensive positions, while Salenko will operate in central midfield. Budkivskyi leads the attack, supported by Slesar and Vakula on the wings.
On the opposing side, Vitaliy Ponomarov has selected Ledviy between the posts for "LNZ" Cherkasy, with Kuzyk positioned on the right side of attack. The newly-promoted side will be eager to make an impression in their Premier League debut.
The full starting lineups show both coaches have gone with strong available options:
Zorya: Saputin — Perduta, Yanich, Bashich, Zhuniniyo — Michin, Dryshlyuk, Salenko — Slesar, Budkivskyi, Vakula.
LNZ: Ledviy — G. Pasich, Muravskyi, Didyk, Drambayev — Tankovskyi, Kushnirenko, Yashari — Kuzyk, Assinor, Bennett.
Interestingly, both teams have stacked their benches with multiple options, suggesting we might see impactful substitutions as the match progresses. Zorya's reserves include Turbayevskyi and Korablin, while LNZ can call upon experienced players like Kapliyenko if needed.
Will the Premier League newcomers cause an upset, or will Skrypnyk's men secure an expected victory to start their campaign? The stage is set for an intriguing contest at the legendary Lobanovskyi Stadium.
