Shakhtar Donetsk faces Lech Poznan in the round of 16 of the UEFA Conference League in the 2025/26 season By Jeronimo Santos
7 min read
 |
Shakhtar Donetsk, a Ukrainian club that qualified directly for the round of 16 of Liga Conferência of UEFA 2025/26, will face Lech Poznan, of Polônia, in the knockout games. The draw held this Friday, February 27, 2026, at Nyon, at Suíça, defined the clashes, with the first match scheduled for March 11 or 12, depending on the official UEFA schedule. Essa stage represents a challenge for Shakhtar, who are looking to advance in the European competition after a solid campaign in the league stage.
The first games will take place in the stadiums of the unseeded teams, while the return matches will be played in the fields of the teams best positioned in the previous phase. Lech Poznan, who made it through the playoffs by eliminating KuPS from Finlândia with a 3-0 aggregate, arrives motivated for this duel. Já o Shakhtar, who finished among the eight best in the league phase, accumulate experience in continental tournaments and aim to repeat positive performances from past seasons.
Other clashes highlight teams from different European leagues, such as AZ Alkmaar against Sparta Praha and Crystal Palace facing AEK Larnaca. Esses duels promise to balance forces between clubs from traditional football nations and other emerging ones. UEFA has confirmed that exact dates will be announced soon, considering local times for each match.
Confrontations defined in the round of 16
The draw for the round of 16 of UEFA’s Liga Conferência brought together 16 teams, divided between the eight that qualified directly from the league stage and the winners of the playoffs. Entre duels, Shakhtar against Lech Poznan stands out due to the difference in playing styles, with the Ukrainian team prioritizing possession of the ball and the Polish team betting on quick transitions. The ceremony in Nyon took place at 1pm local time, broadcast live to fans in several countries.
Other matches include Samsunspor, from Turquia, facing Rayo Vallecano, from Espanha, in a clash that tests the rise of smaller clubs in the Europa. The Fiorentina, from the Itália, will take the Rakow, from the Polônia, while the AZ Alkmaar, from the Esses knockout games will be played over two legs, with the away goal not being used as a tiebreaker, according to updated UEFA rules.
Road to the quarters
The round of 16 opens the door to the quarterfinals, with the draw already defining the future seeding. The winner of the duel between Lech Poznan and Shakhtar will face the winner of AZ Alkmaar against Sparta Praha in the quarterfinals. Essa structure allows teams to plan long-term strategies, considering accumulated injuries and suspensions. UEFA emphasizes the importance of fair play at these stages, with strict monitoring of refereeing via VAR.
Teams like Crystal Palace, from Inglaterra, who eliminated Zrinjski from Bósnia and Herzegovina, now face AEK Larnaca, from Já Celje, from Eslovênia, who surpassed Drita from Kosovo, will face AEK Athens, from Esses clashes reinforce the geographical diversity of the competition, promoting cultural exchange in sport.
Sigma Olomouc, from República Tcheca, who passed through Lausanne from Suíça, faces Mainz, from Cada match carries expectations from local audiences, with tickets selling out quickly in several stadiums. The quarterfinals stage is scheduled for April, keeping the calendar tight for clubs involved in national leagues.
Shakhtar’s history in European competitions
Shakhtar Donetsk has accumulated notable participation in UEFA tournaments, including a victory in Liga Europa in 2009. In the current edition of Liga Conferência, the team finished the league phase with consistent results, guaranteeing a direct place in the round of 16. Key Jogadores, like midfielder Georgiy Sudakov, have been fundamental to the offensive performance, with contributions in goals and assists. Coach Marino Pusic, who recently took charge, implemented a tactical system that balances defense and attack, adapting to different opponents.
Recent performance of the teams involved
Lech Poznan, Shakhtar’s opponents, comes from a stable season in the Polish league, where they occupy top positions. Nos Liga Conferência playoffs, the team demonstrated resilience by beating KuPS with decisive goals in the second half. Treinado by Niels Frederiksen, Lech bets on a 4-2-3-1 formation, with an emphasis on aerial balls and counterattacks. Seus main athletes include striker Mikael Ishak, the team’s top scorer in the European competition.
Samsunspor, who eliminated Shkendija from Macedônia from Norte with a convincing aggregate, faces Rayo Vallecano. The Turkish club, recently promoted to the national elite, surprises with investments in foreign players. Já o Rayo Vallecano, from the Spanish La Liga, brings experience from continental competitions, with a playing style based on high pressing. Esses elements add unpredictability to the confrontation.
Fiorentina, who beat Jagiellonia from Polônia in a dramatic game decided in extra time, now faces Rakow. The Italian team, under the command of Raffaele Palladino, is recovering form after an irregular phase in the Serie A. Rakow, in turn, qualified directly from the league phase, showing defensive consistency.
AZ Alkmaar, who turned the score around against Noah from Armênia, takes on Sparta Praha. The Dutch have young talent from the academy, while the Czechs prioritize experience in international duels. Crystal Palace, who surpassed Zrinjski, face AEK Larnaca, with the English team having the advantage in terms of budget and squad.
Analysis of the completed playoffs
The return games of the playoffs, held on February 26, 2026, defined the last classified for the round of 16. Samsunspor thrashed Shkendija 4-0 at home, with Olivier Ntcham converting a crucial penalty. Essa victory highlighted the offensive efficiency of the Turkish team, which scored at key moments. Já o Lech Poznan beat KuPS 1-0, with a goal from Pablo Rodríguez, consolidating the favorable aggregate.
Fiorentina needed extra time to eliminate Jagiellonia, winning 2-1 in extra time after a draw in regulation. Nicolo Fagioli and an own goal were decisive. Celje beat Drita 3-2, with two penalties converted by Zan Seslar. Esses results show the intensity of the clashes, with smaller teams challenging favorites.
AZ Alkmaar reversed the deficit against Noah, beating 4-0 at home. Gols of Ruben van Bommel and others secured the place. Crystal Palace beat Zrinjski 2-0, with Maxence Lacroix opening the scoring. Sigma Olomouc beat Lausanne 2-1 away from home, while Rijeka eliminated Omonia 3-1.
Preparation for the March games
The teams are now focusing on physical and tactical preparation for the round of 16, with intensive training in the coming days. Shakhtar, playing in neutral stadiums due to geopolitical issues, adapts its logistics to maximize performance. Lech Poznan, on the other hand, has the support of the local fans on the way, which could influence the initial result.
Other teams, such as Fiorentina and AZ Alkmaar, manage squad rotations to avoid fatigue, considering domestic commitments. UEFA monitors injuries and doping tests, ensuring competition integrity. Esses factors will be crucial in defining advances to the quarterfinals.
Expectations for the knockout stage
UEFA’s Liga Conferência continues to grow in relevance, offering opportunities to smaller league clubs. With attractive financial rewards, teams invest in reinforcements to progress. Shakhtar, with a history of overcoming, seeks to repeat winning campaigns, while Lech Poznan aims to surprise as underdogs.
Confrontations like Crystal Palace against AEK Larnaca test the strength of Premier League against peripheral leagues. The tournament culminates in the final in May 2026, at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Alemanha. Até there, the round of 16 promises emotions with goals and unexpected turns.
Playoff results details
- Samsunspor 4-0 Shkendija: Gols from Ntcham (penalty), Ndiaye and two from The Macedonian team resisted in the first half, but gave way in the second half.
- Fiorentina 2-1 (extra time) Jagiellonia: Fagioli and own goal decided after Mazurek’s hat-trick in normal time. The match was marked by expulsions and tension.
- Celje 3-2 Drita: Seslar scored twice including a penalty, while Drita responded with goals from Krasniqi and Dabikaj. The game was balanced until the end.
- AZ Alkmaar 4-0 Noah: Daal, Mijnans (two) and Jensen sealed the Dutch comeback. Noah, who won the first leg, couldn’t resist the pressure.
Coaches’ perspectives
Coaches like Marino Pusic, from Shakhtar, highlight the importance of studying the opponent with videos and reports. Pusic plans to exploit Lech Poznan’s weaknesses in lateral defense. Já Niels Frederiksen, from Lech, emphasizes the motivation of facing a renowned club, preparing tactics to neutralize Ukrainian attacks.
Other coaches, like Maurizio Sarri at Fiorentina, focus on recovering injured players. Essas pre-game statements increase media interest in the competition.
Economic impact of competition
Liga Conferência generates significant revenue for participating clubs, with prizes for victory and advancement. Para o Shakhtar, progression means more funds for infrastructure. Lech Poznan, similarly, uses resources for hiring. Essa dynamics strengthen football in emerging nations.
Global broadcasting expands reach, with audiences at adapted local times. No Brasil, for example, the games take place in the afternoon, making it easier to follow.
Evolution of Liga Conferência
Since its creation in 2021, Liga Conferência has democratized European football, allowing more teams to compete for continental titles. In the 2025/26 edition, 36 teams in the league phase innovated the format. Shakhtar benefits from this structure, avoiding early playoffs.
Compared to previous editions, this season sees more upsets, like Celje eliminating favorites. Essa trend enriches the tournament, attracting new fans.
