A first-half own goal from visiting goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk was enough to give us a narrow 1-0 home win and secure our unbeaten start to the league phase of the Champions League.

Martinelli scored the only goal, it was his low shot that bounced off the post and off the goalkeeper.

In the second half, Riznyk was involved again and saved a penalty from Leandro Trossard. In stoppage time we needed a flying save from David Raya to secure the win.

Quick first five

Gabriel Jesus was one of two players – along with Martinelli – brought back into the team after our defeat at Bournemouth and our captain that night created our first chance. Jesus started on the right wing and hit Yukhym Konoplia with his shoulder. He sent a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box, but it was intercepted by the lurking Kai Havertz.

We won three corners in the first five minutes and the third of those should have resulted in a goal. Trossard’s inward shot was only half cleared and Riccardo Calafiori ended up eight yards from goal, but he fired his left-footed shot over the bar.

After a good start, the game went a bit flat. Shakhtar began to create chances of their own – speedy winger Eguinaldo’s shot was blocked after escaping down the left wing to warn the visitors of their skills.

However, most of the game remained in their half and Trossard had two half-chances in quick succession midway through the half. First, Havertz beat him in the penalty area, but the Belgian’s body shape was completely wrong and he missed his goal. Martinelli then tiptoed toward the baseline and found Trossard, who had to improvise with a first-time shot that went wide.

Gabi’s lucky charm

We took the lead after half an hour, and even though Martinelli was the instigator, it was ruled an own goal. Declan Rice passed to Martinelli in the penalty area, who was flanked by several Shakhtar defenders. The Brazilian shifted the ball to his right foot, deflected his shot, hit the base of the post, bounced off the back of the prone Riznyk and into the net.

It was unfortunate for the Shakhtar goalkeeper, but Martinelli deserved the goal because of his composure in the penalty area.

We came close to extending our lead twice before the break. Havertz bravely pounced on a Jesus who went down two or three meters from goal, but Mykola Matviyenko’s brilliant defense repelled the ball from the German, leaving the goal at his mercy.

A quick pass from Trossard to Havertz and finally to Jesus inside the penalty area gave him the chance to score, but his low shot for a corner was saved by the goalkeeper’s outstretched leg.

Changes in the second half

The first action of the second half was a header that was sent just wide by Trossard and a low cross went to Martinelli, who was able to parry the goalkeeper as we went in search of the second ball.

Mikel Merino had come on as a substitute at half-time in place of Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori was also taken off with 20 minutes to go and replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly. Raheem Sterling was another new addition.

Trossard pays the penalty

In the last 20 minutes, after a VAR review, we were awarded a penalty for a handball against Valeriy Bondar, who blocked Merino’s cross from the left with his arm.

Trossard was the man to take the penalty but his attempt went straight down the middle and was deflected by Riznyk’s feet as he dived to the left.

It was the first penalty we’ve missed at home since December 2021 and the first we haven’t converted after our last 11 goals.

It could have been very costly. In stoppage time, Pedrinho shot at goal from outside the penalty area, forcing Raya into a flying save.

But we had done enough to secure victory, taking seven points from a possible nine to start the revamped league phase and moving us into fifth place ahead of Wednesday’s round of games.

What’s next?

We’re back at home in the Premier League on Sunday when we take on Liverpool. Our next European game is at Inter Milan on Matchday 4 – Wednesday 6th November. This means we have reached the halfway point of our Champions League league phase, which ends on matchday 8 away to Girona on January 29th.