Lech Poznań vs Shakhtar Donetsk – News and Probable Lineups

On Thursday evening, Lech Poznan will host Shakhtar Donetsk at the Enea Stadion for the first leg of their round of 16 clash in the Conference League.

The home side advanced past Kuopion Palloseura in the playoff round, while the visitors secured their position directly in this stage through the league phase.

Match overview

Lech Poznan clinched their ninth Ekstraklasa championship in the 2024-25 season, narrowly overcoming Rakow Czestochowa by a single point.

This achievement earned Lech Poznan a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds, where they were drawn against Breidablik Kopavogur in the second qualifying round.

Lech Poznan won that matchup but subsequently fell to Crvena Zvezda in the third round, leading them to the Europa League playoff round, which they lost to Genk.

As a result, Lech Poznan entered the Conference League, completing a positive league phase campaign with three victories, one draw, and two defeats.

Finishing in 11th place, Lech Poznan moved into the playoff knockout round, where they decisively took out Kuopion Palloseura with a 3-0 aggregate victory to reach this point.

Despite their promising European performance, Lech Poznan comes into this fixture on the back of two consecutive losses in domestic play, prompting Niels Frederiksen to hope for a strong response on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk approaches this encounter having won all three of their matches since resuming play after the Ukrainian Premier League’s winter hiatus.

The visitors have had an outstanding campaign thus far, sitting at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League and advancing into the knockout stages of the Conference League following a sixth-place finish in the league portion.

Arda Turan’s side secured four wins, one draw, and only one defeat in their six league phase matches, ensuring their direct passage into the last 16 of the tournament.

Now focused on maintaining their momentum and moving closer to potential European success, Shakhtar Donetsk will look to overcome their Polish rivals, starting with the trip to the Enea Stadion.

Turan’s squad boasts a solid away record, with just one competitive loss on the road this season.

Team News

Lech Poznan is expected to be without Filip Jagiello, Kornel Lisman, and Radoslaw Murawski due to various injuries.

Mikael Ishak stands out as Lech Poznan’s leading scorer in the Conference League, netting five goals in eight matches, and he is anticipated to partner Luis Palma in the forward line.

On the other hand, Shakhtar Donetsk and Turan will field a fully-fit roster on Thursday.

Lassina Traore made just three appearances before the winter recess due to injury, but he has returned to form with four goals in three matches since resuming and should spearhead the attack in this encounter.

Lech Poznan probable starting XI:

Groundhog; Pereira, Monka, Milic, Gurgul; Gholizadeh, Kozubal, Rodriguez, Bengtsson; Ishak, Palma

Shakhtar Donetsk probable starting XI:

Riznyk; Konoplia, Bondar, Matviyenko, Henrique; Alisson, Pedrinho, Nazaryna, Gomes, Palmares; Traore

Lech Poznan have unfortunately dropped their last two fixtures, and given Shakhtar Donetsk’s excellent form since their return from the winter break, we anticipate the away side to come out on top in this match.