In a clash between Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp, scheduled for November 28, 2023, all eyes are on whether the Belgian underdogs can secure their first points in the Champions League. While Shakhtar is in a heated battle with Porto for advancement to the last 16 stage, Royal Antwerp is hungry to overcome their winless streak in the competition.
Shakhtar, a formidable force in Ukrainian football, currently holds the third spot in Group H with six points, trailing the leaders by a mere three points. Despite their fourth position in the national championship, Shakhtar is determined to replicate their success from the 2017-18 season and progress beyond the group stage. Their recent standout performance, a 1-0 victory over Barcelona, underscores their resilience and skill.
On the other hand, Royal Antwerp faces challenges in their debut Champions League season, sitting at the bottom of the group table with zero points after four matches. With tough competition on the international stage, marked by three goals scored and fourteen conceded, their journey to the last 16 seems improbable.
As the odds favor Shakhtar in the upcoming clash, the Belgian club is unwilling to exit the Champions League without making a mark. All eyes are on Nigerian central midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, a key player in the midfield who has featured in all four matches for Royal Antwerp in UCL and, scoring one goal. His performance could be the deciding factor in whether Royal Antwerp secures their elusive first points in the tournament.
Football experts suggest that the Nigerian midfielder could play a pivotal role in Royal Antwerp’s quest for breaking the points deadlock. The odds of Yusuf adding to his goal tally against Shakhtar, as per 1xBet are 12.
