Andriy Vorobey Shares Expectations for Shakhtar's Match Against AZ

Andriy Vorobey, a former forward for FC Shakhtar, has expressed his insights and expectations ahead of the first leg of the quarter-finals in the UEFA Europa Conference League, where the Ukrainian side will meet Dutch club AZ. This match is set to take place on Thursday, April 9, at 22:00 Kyiv time, marking a significant stage for both teams in their quest for a place in the semi-finals.

Vorobey pointed out that AZ is a formidable opponent and that the 'miners' should not underestimate them. He emphasized that even a draw in this match could be considered a favorable outcome, especially since the tie consists of two legs and the away goals rule is no longer in effect. “Even a draw, considering that the confrontation consists of two matches and the away goals rule has long been abolished, I believe would be a good result. Yes, AZ is not 'Ajax', PSV, or 'Feyenoord', not a giant of Dutch football, but they are a very tough, good, solid team. One should not think that they can be easily beaten,” he stated.

Vorobey also expressed confidence in the Ukrainian team's victory. “I don’t even want to talk about underestimating – that cannot happen at the quarter-final stage. As for my prediction, I will still bet on Shakhtar winning 2:1. It is very important to win the first game, and then we can build on that result,” he said in an interview with BLIK.

The match between Shakhtar and AZ Alkmaar will be a pivotal moment in the European campaign for both teams. This will be their first meeting in the Conference League, but the teams have faced each other in European competitions before. Their only previous encounter took place in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Cup during the 2004/05 season, where Alkmaar emerged victorious, winning 3:1 in Ukraine and 2:1 in the Netherlands, allowing them to advance to the quarter-finals.

Earlier reports indicated that a Brazilian player from Shakhtar is ready to play for the Ukrainian national team, adding further intrigue to the upcoming match. Shakhtar, with a rich history in European competitions, aims to showcase their strength and ambitions in the Conference League, and the match against AZ will serve as an important test for the team.

Football fans are eagerly anticipating this clash, as it promises to be intense and exciting. Will Shakhtar secure a crucial victory at their home stadium, or will AZ surprise with their performance? We will find out the answers to these questions very soon.