KRAKOW, Poland (Interstat) — Shakhtar Donetsk and Rijeka played to a scoreless draw in their UEFA Europa Conference League group stage opener Thursday at Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana.

The match, contested on a neutral site in Krakow, failed to produce a goal despite several key performances. Shakhtar defender Valerii Bondar and Rijeka substitute Stjepan Radeljić were among five players credited with an assist in a game defined more by physicality than finishing. The teams combined for five yellow cards, with Shakhtar’s Lucas Ferreira booked in the 12th minute.

The result defied statistical projections that heavily favored Shakhtar to win. Both clubs open their competition records with a draw.