Anatoliy Trubin — Ukraine’s Wall in Benfica’s Fight for Champions League Group Stage
Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin recently made a significant contribution to his new team — Portuguese giants Benfica — demonstrating high skill level and confidence between the sticks.
In the first leg of the Champions League qualifying playoff against Turkish club Fenerbahçe, Benfica managed to hold the opponent scoreless and secure a crucial advantage.
Starting line-up included Trubin, who delivered several outstanding saves, including blocking dangerous shots and disrupting goal opportunities — one of which was disallowed for offside by the referee.
According to the statistics portal Sofascore, Trubin was named the best player of the match with a rating of 7.8, highlighting his crucial role in the team’s success.
Throughout the game, the 24-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper made six saves, including two following long-distance shots, and twice intercepted opponent crosses.
This match marked a historic milestone for Benfica, which started the season with five consecutive clean sheets — a club record.
From the very beginning of the season, Trubin’s presence in goal has provided stability, keeping the net secure in matches against Sporting, Nice, and Estrela.
Trubin’s transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk to Benfica occurred in August 2023, and since then, he has become the primary goalkeeper of the Portuguese club, showcasing top-tier skills and the ability to meet the challenges of European competitions.
Early victories and setting new club records reaffirm that Ukrainian goalkeeper has the potential to become one of the best in his position across Europe.