How Ukraine beat Slovenia 2-0 for play-off lead

Ukraine controlled the wings
"We defeated the team of Andriy Shevchenko and Serhiy Rebrov [in 1999]," Slovenia coach Srečko Katanec said ahead of Saturday's UEFA EURO 2016 play-off first leg in Ukraine. "Now we face the team of Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko."

If it was no secret that Ukraine's strength lay down the flanks, Katanec's men could nonetheless do little about it thanks to the aggressive pressing of full-backs Vyacheslav Shevchuk and Artem Fedetskiy – the latter providing the cross for Ukraine's second goal in the ensuing 2-0 win – who distracted defenders from the threat of Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko.

As a result, three of the wide quartet were key to Ukraine's strikes either side of half-time. Konoplyanka's centre forced Samir Handanovič into a mistake from which Yarmolenko scored the opener before he fed Fedetskiy to deliver for Yevhen Seleznyov to double the lead Ukraine which will take to Maribor on Tuesday.

Ukraine's individuals performed better
Slovenia initially made it tough for Ukraine to find a way to Handanovič's goal but individual brilliance from Yarmolenko created the 22nd-minute breakthrough, the No7 outwitting two opponents in one move before finding the far corner with a low shot with his 'weaker' right foot. Indeed, most of Ukraine's players seemed able to beat their opposite numbers one-on-one, tiring the Slovenes as they sought to support their team-mates.

©AFP/Getty Images

Mikhail Fomenko's men were also better in their one-touch play, not usually their best point, and positioning in the box, with Denys Garmash going close with several headers. "We could have scored a third and killed the tie," the midfielder told UEFA.com. "But Handanovič played very well and did all a goalkeeper could do to save his team."

Ukraine's centre-backs stood tall
With the strapping Milivoje Novakovič and Josip Iličić up front, Slovenia attempted to turn the match with long balls but 1.97m-tall Yevhen Khacheridi ruined this plan, aided by the always well-placed Yaroslav Rakitskiy. At one moment it appeared the often emotional Khacheridi might risk a second yellow card in his battle with Novakovič yet he made it through the 90 minutes without further sanction.

Slovenia sat too deep, then played too direct
The visitors defended very deep in order to close down space for Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko, meaning Novakovič and Iličić lacked support even when they were able to retain the ball. That meant their counters were never as effective as Ukraine's, especially for the hosts' second goal. Even later on, Slovenia were given no opportunity to change their approach, their balls read easily by Fomenko's side. Slovenia mustered just a single shot – off target – and their only two real chances came from low passing exchanges, something they were seldom permitted to do.

©Getty Images

The Arena Lviv aura
Ukraine have won all five competitive matches at Arena Lviv, including this one, and are unbeaten in 13 appearances in total at the stadium – famous for the most passionate backing of the national team in the country. The atmosphere was vibrant throughout with the fans chanting 'Ukraine' and singing the national anthem and other songs continuously. The excitement was tangible, and the side certainly inspired, with many players thanking the fans for their great support.