The Ukrainian side started on the front foot and managed three attempts in the opening stages of the match, including a dangerous effort in the eighth minute from Oleh Ocheretko which was tipped around the post by Martin Zlomislic in impressive fashion. However, the rest of the first half was a very stale affair, with poor quality shown in the final third from both sides.
The visitors finally displayed some urgency shortly after the interval and should really have broken the deadlock through Daniel Adu-Adjei, but he wasted an excellent opportunity following a misplaced pass from Shakhtar goalkeeper Kiril Fesyun.
Just like the first half though, the quick tempo of the first few minutes slowed down dramatically and led to a dire spectacle where both defences easily came out on top.
With 87 minutes on the clock and FT looming, a decent delivery from the right flank was met by Shakhtar’s Eguinaldo inside the 18-yard box but his headed effort was steered narrowly wide.
At the FT whistle, Víctor Sanchez’s team will have been sorely disappointed to have not registered a single shot on target in the second half.
Following the draw, Shakhtar Donetsk are on a run of 10 games unbeaten in all competitions and Arda Turan’s side must now wait to find out who they will come up against in the Round of 16 once the knockout play-offs matches have concluded.
Meanwhile, HNK Rijeka have stretched their own unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Martin Zlomislic (HNK Rijeka)
