Having failed to face each other in the recently concluded Matchworld Cup in Abu Dhabi, Shakhtar Donetsk and Zenit St Petersburg will give fans the chance to see them go head-to-head in a friendly in Dubai on Tuesday.
Shakhtar – the champions of Ukraine – and Zenit – the Russian Premier League title holders – both contested the recent friendly tournament in the UAE capital, but Zenit’s defeat to Egyptian side Zamalek meant spectators were denied the chance to see a showdown between the two European heavyweights.
Shakhtar went on to win the Cup with a 3-2 win over Zamalek, with goals from Eduardo Silva, Dario Srna, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
However, a friendly between the two has been announced by the Matchworld organisers for Tuesday, January 22, and will take place at Al Wasl’s Zabeel Stadium.
“Matchworld Football SA is pleased to announce the organisation of the Super Cup of Champions; a match between FC Zenit St. Petersburg, current champion of Russia, and FC Shakhtar Donetsk, champion of Ukraine,” a statement read.
“This great event will take place on Tuesday, January 22nd at 5.00 p.m. at the Al Wasl Stadium in Dubai.”
The Ukrainian and Russian domestic seasons are currently on their winter breaks, and when they resume, each side will be returning to rather contrasting campaigns.
Shakhtar are enjoying a remarkable season and are 13 points clear at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League table, while their European ambitions remain on track and they will take on Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund next month for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Zenit have endured a turbulent campaign which has seen players and fans revolt following the mega-money signings of Brazilian forward Hulk and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel, and their lumbering start to the season.
They have got their domestic campaign back on track in recent months, but are still in third-place, five points behind leaders CSKA Moscow.
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