Ukraine Without Shaparenko and Bondar as Maldera Names Trubin in Goal for Windsor Park Clash

Ukraine arrive at Windsor Park for their UEFA Nations League B Group 2 fixture against Northern Ireland without two players. Mykola Shaparenko and Valerii Bondar are absent from Andrea Maldera's squad, the head coach confirmed at his pre-match press conference. Maldera has also settled his goalkeeping question: Anatoliy Trubin starts.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has named a 4-3-3. Ukraine line up in a 4-4-2. The shapes set the terms of the evening before a ball is kicked.

Shaparenko's absence removes a central midfield option from Maldera's 4-4-2. Bondar's withdrawal thins the defensive pool. Neither player was named in the matchday squad. Maldera did not elaborate on the reasons, and no return timeline has been given.

The 4-4-2 Maldera has chosen puts the onus on the two central midfielders to cover ground against a Northern Ireland 4-3-3 that will have a numerical advantage in that zone. Trubin's inclusion in goal is the one selection Maldera volunteered before kick-off, ending any uncertainty about who wears the gloves.

O'Neill's 4-3-3 gives Northern Ireland three central midfielders against Ukraine's two. That extra body in the middle is the most obvious structural lever. It also means Northern Ireland's full-backs can push higher when Ukraine's wide midfielders tuck in to compensate centrally.

Ciaron Brown starts in defence for Northern Ireland. Ethan Galbraith features in midfield. Both are named in the confirmed XI. For Ukraine, Danylo Sikan leads the line in the 4-4-2, with Eduard Sarapiy in the side.

Ukraine's 4-4-2 without Shaparenko asks Trubin to manage a defence that will face crosses from wide areas if Northern Ireland's full-backs advance. Sikan and Sarapiy carry the attacking load in a front two that will need to hold the ball while Ukraine's midfield two recover their shape.

Northern Ireland's 4-3-3 is built to press and circulate. Galbraith's inclusion suggests O'Neill wants legs in the middle to exploit the spare man. Brown's presence in the back line adds a physical option against Sikan.

The match is the penultimate fixture of Northern Ireland's Nations League campaign. Momentum is the talking point around Windsor Park. Ukraine, missing two players and with a new goalkeeper, must find a result without them.

Kick-off is at Windsor Park. The teams are confirmed. The shapes are set.