FanDay.net is experimenting: while everyone else is carving up visiting teams, we’re making anti-ratings. The five best and five worst personalities: four players each in their respective roles and the most successful and unsuccessful coaches – according to the results of the UPL 2022/23 finals.

Until the last minutes of the final round, intrigue continued – both in the issue of medals and in the issue of elimination to the play-offs. As always, of course, it was not without shame and “technical errors”, but we have someone to remember in this incredible season. Domingo Blanco’s decisive shot from Dnipro-1 in the fight for the Champions League, Yevgeny Pavlyuk’s beautiful goal, bringing Vorskla to the European competition, Andriy Pyatov’s nostalgic trip to Poltava.

FanDay.net analyzing the personalities of the Ukrainian Premier League: this is the +5/‒5 section, where we name the best and worst in terms of roles and positions in the last round of the UPL season 2022/23.

• Read also: Final standings of the UPL 2022/23 season: who will represent Ukraine in European competitions, which teams will play in the joint

Goal keeper

In black: Yuriy Pankiv (Rukh)

Pankiv’s former teammate arrived in Lviv with maximum motivation – FC Oleksandriya’s passage to European competition was at stake. But Rukh also cannot afford to lose – he risks falling into the playoffs with the First League. And in a difficult game for himself, Yuriy saved several times after the shots of Mustafaev, Mikhailenko and Kovalets. Four saves by the experienced goalkeeper helped Rukh draw against strong opposition and retain their place in the Premier League without extra games.

In red: Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar)

Once upon a time, Pyatov, a young resident of Kropyvnia, went to the base of Vorskla, from where he ventured into football with great achievements. Now, perhaps, the respected 38-year-old veteran plays his last match for Shakhtar against his former team. And he conceded two goals – although the penalty from Seferi was not a “mandatory program”, Pavlyuk’s goal from an acute angle spoiled the nostalgic trip of one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of domestic football. Dynamo threw Boyko into a difficult match, but Denis had little time to spoil things after the substitution.

Defender

Positive: Semyon Vovchenko (Veres)

A crazy shot by Vovchenko brought the Rovenchans to victory over Ingulets, who fired the visiting head coach. And in general, Semyon was very good, did a lot of work in defense and contributed a lot to this minimal victory of his team.

In red: Igor Perduta (Vorskla)

He played the match very diligently against the champions, but in the 71st minute he was sent off (removal was very narrow, referee Paschal consulted VAR). Of course, this is not a stupid red card and a choice like Kurko from Rovno, but it was difficult for Vorskian without the Ambassador and they almost missed an important victory.

Midfielder

In black: Domingo Blanco (SC Dnipro-1)

Kryvbas were the first to beat Kucher’s side in the first round, and now they are determined to get three points in the regional derby, which will give them hope of a place in the European Cup. But Dnepr-1 has an important trump card like Blanco. Domingo overpowered the opposition, often hit the goal and eventually brought a difficult victory to his team. And a silver medal to boot!

In red: Dmitry Mishnev (Dawn)

By itself, Mishnev is not to blame for anything – but because one of the clerks did not include his name in the match protocol, with his appearance as a substitute that all Zarya’s efforts were equalized. Having won against FC Minai 3:0, now the Luhansk team will lose 0:3 or ‒:+ ‒ how they will record this technical victory for the Transcarpathians.

forward

Positive: Dmitry Yusov (Chernomorets)

Until the 75th minute of the Metalist-Chernomorets Odessa match, zero remained on the scoreboard, while Yusov, who came on as a substitute, skillfully played after a corner kick, and then managed to finish after the visiting goalkeeper dragged Avagimyan’s shot. An extraordinary man – this Yusov: he was “quiet” for half a year, and in the last round he helped his team finish the season perfectly.

In red: Artem Dovbik (SC Dnepr-1)

You can’t blame him for a lack of effort – Dovbik himself shot towards Kryvbas’ goal, and took part (in a rather important way) in the goal combination. But it was not possible to catch up, and even more so, to surpass Mkhitaryan’s record. At the end of a grueling season, Artyom ran out of energy. But, finally, we can officially call him the top scorer – after all, last season his leadership was interrupted by the start of a full-scale war phase.

Best player of the tour – Nazariy Rusin (Dawn)

In fact, Rusin played the top match in Minaj: he scored two goals, he still can, including from the penalty earned personally. He brought his personal score to 13 goals and 6 assists – this is the second indicator after Dovbik. And now this effort can be canceled, because due to participation in Mishnev’s match, Zara is threatened with a technical defeat.

Trainer

Subs: Viktor Skrypnyk (Vorskla)

One could complain that a lackluster Shakhtar fielded a half-reserved squad. We can assure you that the start of the match has been delayed by special evil forces. You can say whatever you want, but in this difficult, uneven season, Skrypnyk still did the maximum – reaching the European Cup in this situation is a serious achievement. Five wins in a row makes the result no fluke.

Red: Ruslan Rotan (FC Alexandria)

It seemed almost impossible, but FC Oleksandriia missed out on their ticket to the European Cup. 14th draw of the season – from a strong position. The guests attacked a lot, Rukh fought a lot, the moments were very unfortunate. But who would understand this, if everything was in the hands of the Alexandrians, but they brought it to the point that everything was decided in the end far from a motivated opponent?

Premier League standings