Roberto De Zerbi will be in the Champions League this season after Shakhtar Donetsk fought back from 2-0 down to eliminate AS Monaco in extra time.
The Ukrainians had already won the first leg 1-0 in France, but simply did not get out of the blocks in Kiev and were fortunate to only be 2-0 downat the break to a Wassim Ben Yedder brace.
Away goals are no longer valid in European competition from this season, so when Marlos came off the bench to finish off a well-worked team move sweeping left to right, it forced extra time, 2-2 on aggregate.
Both teams continued to have chances and veteran goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov made a decisive save.
It seemed to be going towards penalties when Shakhtar had a stroke of luck, as Mykhailo Mudryk sprinted into the box and tried to roll the ball across, but it hit Monaco defender Ruben Aguilar’s foot, looping over the helpless Alexander Nubel.
Shakhtar Donetsk drew 2-2 on the night from 2-0 down, going through 3-2 on aggregate to the Champions League group phase, and the former Sassuolo boss will be at Europe’s top table.
Also qualifying this evening are Sheriff, becoming the first Moldovan side to reach the tournament proper, after a 0-0 draw away to Dinamo Zagreb, having won the first leg 3-0.
RB Salzburg also consolidated their victory over Brondby with another 2-1 result for 4-2 on aggregate.
The worst possible luck! 😩
Ruben Aguilar knew nothing about it, but the ball loops into the net.
As it stands, Shakhtar Donetsk advance at the expense of Monaco!#UCL pic.twitter.com/rodJehYQDD
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 25, 2021
More like Monaco clutched defeat from the jaws of victory. WOW. That Ben Yedder is hopeless. He scored two good goals, but could’ve easily had another 3. Absolutely woeful misses. As for Volland next to him – even more terrible. Shakhtar should’ve had no chance. Monaco by a mile the better side, but they can thank the monaco forwards for being hopeless.
Well done Sheriffs!