Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Sevilla: Score, Reaction from 2016 Europa League Semi-Final

Sevilla and Shakhtar Donetsk played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final encounter in Ukraine on Thursday.

Vitolo gave the visitors an early lead, but Shakhtar bounced back well and tied things up through Marlos. A defensive error gave the hosts the lead, with Taras Stepanenko putting his team ahead before half-time.

Both teams had their chances after the break, but it was Kevin Gameiro who put the defending champions in the driver’s seat from the penalty spot. Sevilla will host Shakhtar in one week, holding the away-goal advantage.

As shared by Sevilla’s official Twitter account, the visitors kept star midfielder Michael Krohn-Dehli and defender Coke on the bench:

Starting XI for #SevillaFC vs. @FCShakhtar_eng in the FIRST LEG of the @EuropaLeague Semi-finals #comeonsevilla #UEL pic.twitter.com/OTpPLNB1Qt

— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) April 28, 2016

Per WhoScored.com, Sevilla’s recent away form was anything but impressive:

LIVE: Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sevilla – Sevilla have won just one of their last 11 matches away from home in all comps https://t.co/cmDCmeoBwI

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 28, 2016

The visitors started with plenty of attacking intentions, getting forward early and putting real pressure on Shakhtar. Yevhen Konoplyanka nearly picked out Mariano with an early cross, and the hosts had to deal with an early corner after another fine ball in.

Vitolo opened the score after just six minutes, as Sevilla executed a perfect counter-attack, which ended with the winger cutting inside and sending a shot through goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov’s legs.

Here’s a look at the strike, via HalfAGoal:

#Vitolo has given #Sevilla the lead against #Shakhtar!#UELhttps://t.co/doqMhYgKxu

— HalfAGoal (@Half_A_Goal) April 28, 2016

Shakhtar tried to respond immediately, but Sevilla dug in and defended their half with numbers, limiting the hosts’ looks in the attacking third. Possession was nearly all Shakhtar, but it didn’t lead to lots of chances.

Grzegorz Krychowiak nearly picked out Konoplyanka when Sevilla tried to counter, and Taison had similar luck looking for Facundo Ferreyra. Mariano’s cross was heavy and missed Gameiro, and Daniel Carrico made a vital clearance before Ferreyra was able to strike.

Marlos tried his luck from distance but barely troubled goalkeeper David Soria, and Konoplyanka had to make a …

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