Barcelona vs Shakhtar Donetsk, summary: Fermín, score, goals & highlights | Champions League 2023/24

Signing off...

We're going to leave it there for tonight. Thanks for joining in on the live coverage of a fantastic game of Champions League football.

Joe

More numbers from the Opta boffins:

Lamine Yamal, while he let his friend Fermín get on the scoresheet, had a fantastic game and was non-stop creating for his teammates.

Here's how the group looks after the game:

Barcelona, with their 100% record, sit on 9 from 9; Shakhtar remain in third with 3 from 3.

Porto and Antwerp kick their game off shortly.

Here's how Sofascore saw the game:

It was a game of near-total domination for the home side, who had the majority of the ball, the chances and the attacking touches.

Injury worry for Barça?

The bad news for Barcelona is that João Félix went off injured in the second half, although early reports suggest that it is nothing too serious for the Portuguese forward.

Full-time thoughts:

Well, that was a lot more nervy in the second half that we imagined it would be, especially given how comfortable the first period was for the home side.

Fermín was the star on the night as Barça beat a spirited Shakhtar side at Montjuïc, scoring the second goal and winning the MVP award. 

Shakhtar played a super-high-risk style, constantly playing out from the back and not changing their ways despite the press from the home side, which forced plenty of mistakes in the first half, which saw them go into the break 2-0 down.

After the break, Barça continued to press and even had the ball in the net, but soon after it was the away side who made things uncomfortable with an unexpected goal after they took advantage of a sleepy defence.

In the end, the quality was too much for the away side who will be disappointed not to go home with anything but also proud of the way they played, especially away from home with a new manager.

For Barça, they are top of the group and have one foot in the next round.

Bring on El Clásico!

Full-time!

Barcelona continue their 100% record in the Champions League!

Ronald Araujo sweeps up as the Shakhtar players don't read the runs and passes...

Guiu goes down in the box but the referee waves play to carry on as Shakhtar attack...

Marc Guiu goes to ground and wins a free-kick on halfway.

As you might expect, the home side are in no rush to take any throw ins or free-kicks that they win as they pop the ball around the back line.

Barcelona are tying to run down the clock by keeping possession as we enter the final minutes of the game.

7 added minutes.

Eguinaldo ON

Stepanenko OFF

(he's had a great game)

The ball was played into the Barcelona box from the right before landing at the feet of the Shakhtar striker, who was facing away from goal just a few yards out.

He didn't see the ball fall at his feet and Barcelona win it back, breaking fast.

At the other end of the pitch, the cross is then played from the left towards the far post where Lamine Yamal is waiting. He leaps up but the angle is tight and the ball rolls parallel to the goal line.

BARÇA NEARLY SCORE ON THE COUNTER

BARCELONA SURVIVE HUGE CHANCE

We're into the final minute of normal time.

It's Araújo who smashes the ball high over the bar.

There will be plenty of players in line to take this one.

Ferran is still down after what looked like a knee to the stomach, Triple H style.

The centre-back is booked for his troubles.

Another free-kick given for Barcelona, this one just on the edge of the box, after Ferrran is brought down by Bondar.

Ferran whips a free-kick over the bar from 30 yards out.

And we're underway again.

Stepanenko is down with what looks like a hamstring injury.

The cross comes in low from the left and it's Stepanenko who swings a boot at the ball that zooms just wide of the goal. Ter Stegen had his feet buried in the ground and was getting nowhere near that.

HUGE CHANCE FOR SHAKHTAR

Casado & Christensen ON

Fermín & Iñigo OFF

This is going to be a tense final period for Barcelona...

Gasps of horror as Zubkov's shot from inside the box is blocked and for a second, could end up anywhere. Shakhtar win another corner.

Barcelona aren't comfortable as Shakhtar grow 100 feet high out of nowhere. Stepanenko fires a curling effort towards Ter Stegen in the Barça goal that is put just wide.

The away side have been given a breath of life from somewhere and have a corner as Barça drop back into a deep defensive block.

Shakhtar have a free-kick on the right that is whipped in with pace before being cleared away.

As soon as I have João Félix injury news, I'll let you know.

Marc Guiu ON

João Félix OFF

João Félix is down...

A quick VAR check for a possibly penalty is waved on. 

In a comedy moment the free-kick from Gundogan hits practically every player in the box before Ronald Araujo falls over and nudges the ball out of play.

Konoplia is booked for a late challenge on Balde.

Back underway...

Palmares & Kelsy ON

Sikan & Kryskiv OFF

Balde ON

Marcos Alonso OFF

As you were...

Wow, what a few seconds for the youngster. He smashed a shot off the post and the rebound was picked up on the left before being floated into the box.

Fermín rose highest to head the ball past Riznyk but he was just offside as the cross was played in.

OFFSIDE!!!!

FERMÍN OFF THE POST

All of a sudden the Barça fans are unsettled as Shakhtar pass the ball around the edge of their box...

It was Oriol Romeu who was marking Sudakov as he broke the lines and raced in behind to get past the high defensive line of Barcelona for the goal.

Gundogan is caught out in the middle of the pitch in what looked a little lazy from the German. His head was elsewhere and his touch was loose, allowing the adrenaline-fuelled players in white to pounce.

Barcelona are keeping the ball as the fans break out into a fantastic round of songs, pushing their team forward.

We're back underway. Do we have a game on our hands?

A delightful pass from the left wing is curved in behind the Barça defence and Sudakov, who is running in behind, latches onto the ball and smashes past Ter Stegen.

SUDAKOV

It was a fantastic ball from João Félix through the lines to find Ferran, who was just offside as he brought it down. The finish, however, a subtle chip over Riznyk, was delightful.

OFFSIDE!!!

Sudakov breaks forward and plays a low cross towards the penalty spot but nobody in white is there to smash home.

A long spell of possession for Barcelona highlights their talent on the ball, their confidence in the system and the tiredness of their opponents, who have given everything so far to land a single punch.

It's just not happening for Shakhtar today.

Their terrifying style of play works superbly and Azarovi races down the left flank after being released by a pass from Stepanenko.

The full-back finds a midfielder inside but the next pass, from Sudakov, hits his teammate on the ankle and Barça recover on the edge of their own box.

Fermín will be annoyed he got his hair cut this week as Lamine Yamal's cross from the right would've met his head had his locks been a little longer. Shakhtar survive again.

João tricks everyone as he goes for goal from a wide free-kick and Roznyk drops the ball that smashes into his chest. Fortunately for him, Ferran didn't expect it either and the ball rebounded off the shin of the Spaniard, spinning out of play from a yard out.

CHANCE FOR BARÇA

Riznyk gets a huge hand on Félix's headed cross to push it away from goal as Barcelona pressure Shakhtar again. 

Konoplia's low cross is bent around the backtracking Barclona defensive line as Shalhtar momentarily get in behind. Unfortunately for the away side, nobody is there to get on the end of the ball from the full-back.

Barcelona go immediately on the attack and they win a free-kick on the right side of the pitch, about 40 yards from goal.

And we're off!

No changes for either side.

Here come the players for the second half!

Their second goal scorer isn't too bad either!

That's not a bad list of names to be included in!

Barça's first scorer of the night in fine form

Ferran, or The Shark, as he likes to be known (yes, seriously), has broken a record at the Catalan club.

Half time thoughts:

Barcelona are in cruise control against a Shakhtar side who, despite their efforts, cannot keep up. 

The Catalans have dominated from the first whistle and despite not creating a gigantic number of insanely clear chances, they have fully asserted themselves over their opponents.

Shakhtar, for their part, are playing incredibly risky football at the back, which is causing them problems and giving Barcelona easy chances to win possession very high up the pitch, something which gives the Catalans the chance to score in just a few touches.

Fermín has been the standout player on the pitch, getting himself involved in the two goals, the second being a brutal strike from the edge of the area.

However, there have been a few breaks from the away side which may given them hope for the second half.

Half-time!

The referee blows for the break!

Fermín plays a 30-yard through pass that breaks two lines of white shirts and finds Lamine Yamal behind the defence. Stunning. 

2 added minutes.

Kryskiv gets forward but Cancelo puts his body in the way to block the through ball behind the line. A chance wasted for the players in white, who had caught Barça out there with a quick break.

Shakhtar, with the riskiest football I might have ever seen, make it from the left-back position to the right wing, where Barcelona eventually recover. When it works, it's delightful, but against a Barça side this full of confidence, it's a brave choice.

Ouch. Ferran is booked after a needlessly tough challenge on Konoplia.

The flicks, tricks, spins and skills are coming out from the home side now, who are dominating their opponents in every aspect of the game.

The ball is lost by Shakhtar in their own half (again) and it's Félix who sweeps up, playing a reverse pass to Ferran, whose shot is blocked from inside the box. A golden opportunity to put the game to bed.

HUGE CHANCE MISSED BY FERRAN

We're back underway and my bones are shaking from the power behind that strike.

The small child gets the ball on the edge of the box, skips right past Azarovi and smashes a thunderstrike from the depths of hell into the very top right corner of the goal that cracks off the post and into the net! 

WHAT A GOAL 

Gundogan is laughing his head off as Bondarenko goes down during a challenge for the ball in the middle third. He's a big lad, the midfielder, so I wouldn't be laughing too hard...

That's 2 goals in 3 for Ferran in the UEFA Champions League this season.

João Félix receives from Fermín who spins past his marker on halfway. The Portuguese sees his name in lights and tries to take on 5 white shirts, but the ball is smashed away from the danger zone as he enters the box. 

Barcelona immediately win a corner after the restart - they want more.

The run from Fermín was a clever but Gundogan's pass over the top was superb. Overall, a great move from Xavi's side, who deserve to be ahead.

FERRAN GETS ON THE SCORESHEET

VAR are checking...

The ball is in the net for Barça but it's given as offside. Fermín collected a chipped pass over the Shakhtar defensive line and hit the post before the rebound was smashed in.

Oriol loses possession on halfway and Shakhtar break with Sudakov., who beats Fermín, a child, for strength. The ball is worked down the left but the home side do well to get back and smother the ball in seconds.

Cancelo bursts down the right side and cuts back on his left foot before unleashing a shot from close range that's saved well by Riznyk's legs.

CHANCE FOR BARÇA

Lamine Yamal skips past one defender before twisting the blood of a second. The ball looks like it's deflected out but the referee's assistant gives a goal kick. That kid could play first team football in jeans.

Shakhtar have just moved their team up the pitch about 30 yards and are now camped with the ball in the Barça half. Sudakov's pass across the edge of the box is then met by a red and blue shirt and is cleared. 

Kryskiv has returned to the pitch. 

We're back underway and Shakhtar are currently down to 10.

Kryskiv is on the floor and it looks like his night is over.

João Félix goes down like a dying swan after taking a hand to the face from Konoplia. 

Ferran burns through the defensive line to get on the end of João Félix's superb pass past the defence. Riznyk races out from his position on the goal line and slides on the ground to collect.

Araujo stands like a Terracotta Army warrior as the smacked effort from Bondarenko on the edge of the box wallops him in in the face.

Sighs of relief as the ball out wide towards Azarovi on the left is slightly too heavy from Sikan. Had he reached it, he would've been away on his own. 

We've played 15 minutes and apart from the Fermín chance that came from the Shakhtar mistake, the away side have kept Barça at bay.

Fermín slips which means Sikan can keep hold of the ball in the middle third and Shakhtar continue their possession game, which involves a simply stunning number of dangerous, line-breaking passes through the thirds. It's admirable and absolutely delightful to watch.

Konoplia does well to steal the ball from João Félix, whose touch was just too heavy on the left wing.

Kryskiv breaks forward and plays right to Zubkov, who hits a left-footed effort at Ter Stegen. Easily saved.

That'll be a huge confidence boost for both Fermín and Riznyk, but that's a few mistakes that the away side have made already in the back line when building up.

Shakhtar try to play out from the back and mess up completely, giving Oriol the ball inside their own box. He spins and plays to Fermín, who skips past a defender before seeing his low shot save by the goalkeeper from close range.

HUGE SAVE FROM RIZNYK

Barça, who are well on top, win a corner. Matviyenko pokes out of play after Gundogan went on a mazy run through the middle of the Ukrainian defensive block.

Oriol plays right to Lamine Yamal who bursts forward into the box, but his low cross towards the penalty spot is cleared away. A fast start from the home team.

Stepanenko collects the loose ball but that's twice Lamine Yamal has skinned Azarovi on the wing already.

Araujo sprays to Félix on the left wing and Barça start off with their possession game. Shakhtar are in a 4-2-3-1 defensive shape as Lamine Yamal goes down for the first foul of the night.

And we're off!

It's the home side who get us going from left to right.

Barcelona are in their home strip with Shakhtar have an all-white outfit. Perfect preparation for Real Madrid at the weekend.

The Chaaaaaampiooooooons

Serious faces from the 22 players on the pitch as the anthem is whistled heavily by the fans in the stands. All Super League are we?

The players are in the tunnel!

The Guns N' Roses song Sweet Child O' Mine is currently belting out of the speakers at Montjuïc. Nobody tell Jagger.

The fade into the Barça anthem was sublime. A mix nobody saw coming.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Who is Ivan Kružliak, the referee for Barcelona vs Shakhtar Donetsk, Champions League 2023/24

Don't worry, I didn't forget. Here's the who's the ref? explainer:

Slovakian Ivan Kruzliak is the huge man with the whistle and someone who has World Cup qualifier and Europa League experience. As for the VAR, it’s the lucky Tomasz Kwiatkowski of Poland who has the honours.

Calum has more info...

How many fans are at the stadium for the early game?

Around 41,000 fans are expected to attend the game tonight. That might seem a small number, but an 18:45 kick-off (local time) is incredibly awkward in Spain, with plenty of people still working.

10 minutes to go!

The players have finished their warmups and are making their way down the tunnel ahead of kick-off!

Big smiles from Marc Guiu, the hero against Athletic Club at the weekend in LaLiga.

A reminder of the starting XIs:

If you've just joined us, here is how the two teams line up:

Barcelona: 

Ter Stegen

Cancelo - Araújo - Iñigo - M. Alonso

Gundogan - Oriol - João Félix

Lamine Yamal - Ferran - Fermín

Shakhtar Donetsk:

Riznyk

Azarovi - Matviyenko - Bondar - Konoplia

Stepanenko - Sudakov - Bondarenko

Kryskiv - Sikan - Zubkov

Can Barça keep the good times rolling?

Shouldn't use up all my Rolling Stones puns before the weekend, but it just gives me such a sense of satisfaction. 

Xavi to Spanish TV ahead of kick-off:

We have a small and young squad. That means things are being done well here. We saw Marc Guiu the other day and we're going to compete with young players. Barça have always done this.

It's a great generation we can use. I am proud, I'm from here and I know that there are great coaches here. We are going to give opportunities to players.

We can't rest. It's the Champions League and we want to go through. The main objective is to get through. They are 3 important points and we are against an unknown but very good team and we are not thinking about El Clásico at the weekend.

We aren't going to change much, just how to defend and attack. They are physical and quick up front. They are technically very good even if people don't know who they are. 

Here's a reminder of the team news:

BARCELONA:

We’re at that point already with Barcelona that if somebody in the stands brings their boots and shin pads, Xavi might actually let them have a go. 

It is hoped that Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Raphinha will have recovered by Saturday to take on Real Madrid (!) in LaLiga, but they are unlikely to be match fit for the full 90 minutes.

Frenkie de Jong, Jules Koundé and Sergi Roberto are all 100% out of both today and Saturday’s game. 

As we said earlier,Gavi is another player who will not feature today after he did the very Gavi-y thing of getting sent off right at the end of the last game.

SHAKHTAR DONETSK:

Lassina Traoré has a ligament problem which will see him miss out, but apart from that it’s all systems go for the Marino Pusic/Darijo Srna double team.

Xavi's pre-match press conference:

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Braga vs Real Madrid, summary: Bellingham, score, goals & highlights | Champions League 2023/24

Before you find my address and send me angry letters in the mouths of raging owls, I'll explain why I'm posting this here.

Barcelona play Real Madrid at the weekend, so here's how their opponents at the weekend got on in their European game last night. Braga put up a good fight against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League group game, but a goal from Bellingham sealed the three points. It wasn't all good news for Los Blancos, however, who had their star man leave the pitch early with an injury. All the latest updates ahead of El Clásico are there for you.

Here are the other games we've got going on today:

Of course, Barça vs Shakhtar is the place to be in Europe. But these are here just in case you're interested.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Why is Gavi not playing for Barcelona against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League?

As we know, Barça coach Xavi Hernández is without Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Jules Koundé and more for the game, with El Clásico just around the corner.

But you may notice the absence of a certain Scrappy-Doo in the middle of the Barça midfield, and you'd be right to do so. 

Gavi is not even in the squad for the game against Shakhtar today, and Roddy is on hand to tell you why...

Shakhtar XI revealed:

New manager Marino Pusic has named his first starting XI, with a little help from Darijo Srna, I imagine.

Barça XI announced!

It's TerStegen behind a defence of Cancelo, Araujo, Iñigo and Marcos Alonso.

The midfield is made up of Oriol, Gundogan and João Félix with Ferran, Fermín and Lamine Yamal up front.

Darijo Srna pre-game comments:

Where are Barcelona playing their home games this season?

As a keen-eyed football fan, you probably know by now, but Barcelona’s games aren’t going to be played at Camp Nou this season, as the ground is currently a literal building site.

Instead, their fixtures are being held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys, or Montjuïc, which was built for the 1929 International Exposition before being renovated for the 1992 Olympics and holds just under 55,000 people.

It's gone great for the blaugrana so far who, after 6 games, are yet to drop points at their new battleground and have an aggregate score of, ahem, 17-2.

The positive side of things forShakhtar is that their two UEFA Champions League games so far this season have seen a total of 9 goals. Get ready for a 0-0 draw, folks.

Barcelona's dressing room is ready!

They're not wearing the Rolling Stones special shirt today, that's for the weekend, but nevertheless, the dressing room is as fresh as always with the blaugrana shirt proudly on display and ready for the players!

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Possible Barcelona starting line-up to play Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League

Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Frankie de Jong are among the absentees, with El Clásico against Real Madrid also just days away.

So, how will Barcelona line up? Well, Roddy gives his best attempt at getting inside the mind of Xavi Hernández.

Marino Pusic was appointed head coach yesterday

Club figure Srna took the pre-game media duties ahead of Pusic being appointed. It's definitely a special first game that he won't forget!

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Barcelona vs Shakhtar: times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Champions League

Want to watch the game while sticking with the live coverage?

Look no further, dear reader. 

Read how you can watch the game today, which kicks off at 10:45 a.m. ET / 7:45 a.m. PT.

Barcelona release a weird statement:

OK, it's not strictly about today's champions league game, but it's 100% worth a read:

FC Barcelona hereby announces that yesterday evening, the its last five presidents, Joan Laporta, Josep Maria Bartomeu, Sandro Rosell, Enric Reyna and Joan Gaspart, had an informal dinner together in order to consolidate and settle a unified position against the attacks and slander that have been attempting to unsettle life at the club, and which have intensified of late.

Current president Joan Laporta accepted the proposition made by Joan Gaspart at last Saturday's General Assembly of Delegate Members, as a means to consolidate an unbreakable stance and forge cohesion among the club's membership.

Over dinner, the five gentlemen analysed the current situation at FC Barcelona and reached a consensus on certain issues, the overarching aim being to support the club's best interests, especially with regard to affairs related to the incessant attacks on FC Barcelona throughout its history, and most especially of all in recent times.

End of statement

...

Yes, that is a genuine statement published by the club about 5 men having dinner together to talk about 'attacks' on FCB. I'm not giving my opinion, I'm just sharing the information with you, dear reader.

How things look in the table:

After two games each, it’s Barcelona in the driving seat. The Catalans have won both of their games against Antwerp and Porto and are on 6 points out of 6. 

A win today would see them edge closer to qualification and put one foot in the Round of 16 for the first time since 2020-21. 

Shakhtar have three points after two games. They lost their opening fixture 1-3 away to Porto before coming back from 2-0 down to win 2-3 in a thriller in Belgium.

Porto are expected to royally thump Antwerp so the Ukrainian side will be hoping to get at least a point in order to not let them gain too much distance ahead as we enter the halfway point in the group.

Team news: Shakhtar Donetsk

Lassina Traoré has a ligament problem which will see him miss out, but apart from that it’s all systems go for the Marino Pusic/Darijo Srna double team.

Team news: FC Barcelona

We’re at that point already with Barcelona that if somebody in the stands brings their boots and shin pads, Xavi might actually let them have a go. 

It is hoped that Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Raphinha will have recovered by Saturday to take on Real Madrid (!) in LaLiga, but they are unlikely to be match fit for the full 90 minutes.

Frenkie de Jong, Jules Koundé and Sergi Roberto are all 100% out of both today and Saturday’s game. 

Gavi is another player who will not feature today after he did the very Gavi-y thing of getting sent off right at the end of the last game against Porto.

Welcome!

The Chaaaaaaampioooooonssssss!

Yes, people, it goes on and on.

Today we’re back with more continental action and this time we’re on Spain’s east coast looking at the delights of Group H, where Barcelona play Shakhtar Donetsk.

It’s Joe here to take you through the ups and downs at Montjuïc in match day 3 of the UCL group stages.