Cologne's Jonas Hector has become Germany's left-back and though he has rarely impressed, he has hardly ever disappointed in his 14 caps for the national team. Still, the 26-year-old has only been a professional footballer for four years, has never played a European club match, and has never taken to the pitch at a big tournament.
He will face a stern test against Ukraine winger Yarmolenko, who has the experience of 58 caps and 71 European matches for Dinamo Kiev. Yarmolenko is set to give Hector some headaches with his dribbles and stepovers, and his change of position with Yevhen Konoplyanka will also impact on the other wing. If Hector can shut Yarmolenko down, and move high up the pitch to collect Jerome Boateng's long balls and mount an attack, he will have passed his first big international test.
AS: Taras Stepanenko vs. Mesut Ozil
Apart from Ukraine's main hopes -- Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko -- and their individual duels against opposition full-backs, Shakhtar's diligent holding midfielder Stepanenko is expected to play an instrumental role in nullifying Mesut Ozil's threat. Stepanenko, who has become the spine of the national team in a midfield area, has used the word "fight" on a number of occasions in the 2015-16 season -- and this is what his performance against Arsenal's assist machine will surely turn into on Sunday. If Shakhtar's anchorman fails in coping with the Germany midfielder, allowing him too much space, it will disrupt Ukraine's defensive shape and hurt their chances of success.
He will face a stern test against Ukraine winger Yarmolenko, who has the experience of 58 caps and 71 European matches for Dinamo Kiev. Yarmolenko is set to give Hector some headaches with his dribbles and stepovers, and his change of position with Yevhen Konoplyanka will also impact on the other wing. If Hector can shut Yarmolenko down, and move high up the pitch to collect Jerome Boateng's long balls and mount an attack, he will have passed his first big international test.
AS: Taras Stepanenko vs. Mesut Ozil
Apart from Ukraine's main hopes -- Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko -- and their individual duels against opposition full-backs, Shakhtar's diligent holding midfielder Stepanenko is expected to play an instrumental role in nullifying Mesut Ozil's threat. Stepanenko, who has become the spine of the national team in a midfield area, has used the word "fight" on a number of occasions in the 2015-16 season -- and this is what his performance against Arsenal's assist machine will surely turn into on Sunday. If Shakhtar's anchorman fails in coping with the Germany midfielder, allowing him too much space, it will disrupt Ukraine's defensive shape and hurt their chances of success.
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