Shakhtar Donetsk — Legia Warsaw : Match Preview and Prediction for October 23,2025

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Season So Far

There was considerable anticipation and discussion prior to the season about the strength of the Donetsk representatives. Many believed they were in excellent condition, with a new coach promising significant improvements. However, Shakhtar’s strong start has not lasted, and they urgently need to capitalize on their domestic rivals’ issues while also accumulating points in European competitions.

Recent Performance and Struggles

For an extended period, Shakhtar failed to exploit Dynamo’s subpar performances, despite securing numerous victories in their own matches. Yet, just before the international break, something unexpected happened: they suffered a crushing 1-4 defeat to Cherkasy. This loss was well-deserved, with Turan’s squad registering significantly fewer shots on target than their opponents. In their most recent league fixture, they couldn’t overcome Polissya, even with a huge advantage. The team from Zhytomyr didn’t even manage a single shot on target, but Shakhtar still failed to secure a victory in that game.

Legia Warsaw’s Troubled Season

Legia Warsaw seems a shadow of its former self this season, despite a promising start. July saw a series of strategic changes that led to a Super Cup victory in Turkey. The team also performed admirably in the qualification rounds against Aktobe, and their style of play was widely praised.

Decline and Managerial Crisis

However, the Warsaw side’s performance has gradually deteriorated into something unrecognizable. They were eliminated from the Europa League by AEK Larnaca. Their progression to the Conference League was achieved with immense difficulty, narrowly overcoming the considerably weaker Hibernians. Consequently, their league form has been dreadful, leaving the team currently occupying a mid-table position. In their last match, Legia made headlines for all the wrong reasons: Piatkowski scored an own goal, then lost his composure and received a red card. Against this backdrop, the Romanian coach submitted his resignation, which the club subsequently rejected, compelling him to continue coaching today.