Sabau thought defensive this battle, knowing that Lucescu is obliged to attack, but he placed Gigel Bucur in front of Piatov, supported by Parks, like a virus with lethal potential. At Timisoara, Shakhtar has pressed even from first seconds, pushing the hosts in own half of field. Guest's domintion was clear, but sterile, because goal opportunities were missing entirely. The first better opportunity of the guests took place in 23rd minute, when the shot of Jadson, from 20 meters, passed beside the post. It followed the header of Luiz Adriano (27), also beside the post. Timisoara became more courageous and started to play more offensive, sending the first shot to the post of Piatov in 31st minute, through Parks, but the ball passed over the bar. Bucur had a good chance in 40th minute, but he shot in lateral net, from angle. Gai (42) headed over the post, after the cross of Srna, then being surprised without reaction in 45th minute, at the ball rejected wrong by Pantilimon. The match was more animated after the break, Shakhtar rushing in attack, while Timisoara became more incisive in attack. Bucur had a personal action (50), but Kucer blocked him at 6 meters in front of the post. Eight minutes later, Nibombe headed beside the post, then it was the turn of Shakhtar to miss a good opportunity, through Rat, from a free kick from 20 meters. Both teams had good opportunites, but without finalization. In 76th minute, Timisoara wasted another good opportunity, Parks heading over the post from a corner kick. The biggest opportunity of the guests came in 79th minute, when Pantilimon caught very hard the ball deflected by Cigrinski, at the free kick executed by Rat. Then Aghahowa shot from the edge of the box, but beside the post (80). Cigrinski headed dangerous again in 83rd minute, but the result was another corner kick. In 86th minute, Pantilimon saved the goal after the free kick of Srna, from 22 meters. Arman Karamian (90) shot from volley from the edge of the box, but Piatov saved without problems. Parks wasted a huge opportunity in additional time, when he remained alone with the goalkeeper, but he shot too late and Piatov managed to block him. Alexa, Bourceanu and Artavazd Karamian will be suspended for the next European match.
Ioan Ovidiu Sabau, coach of FC Timisoara: "We have qualified due to the focusing of our defenders, but also due to Pantilimon, who made again a great game. It is very difficult to play with players without experience in European cups, especially in a match against the holder of UEFA Cup. However, we tried to play better than at Donetsk . We didn't let free room for our opponents, because they are very fast players and could surprise us. I thank to the players, leadership and fans, because they all helped me to obtain this excellent result. I still don't know which will be our objective, but at least we are sure that we will play in group stage of Europa League".
Mircea Lucescu, coach of Shakhtar Donetsk: "I congratulate Timisoara for this qualification and Ovidiu Sabau for what team he built here. Unfortunately, the skills of my Brazilians weren't enough in front of Timisoara . We lost qualification at Donetsk , where we have wasted too many goal opportunities. Here it was more difficult for us, because the hosts fought to preserve the result obtained in first leg. We have played better in the last 25 minutes, but goalkeeper Pantilimon had an excellent day and rejected many difficult balls, saving his team. I hope we have learnt something from these two matches with Timisoara and now we must fight to qualify in group stage of Europa League. I wish success to Timisoara and I hope they will succeed to qualify in group stage of Champions League, because they deserve that".
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