Luiz Adriano is an interesting character in the Champions League.
The Brazilian striker has always had an eye for the goal wherever he has played, but it is undeniable that his time at Shakhtar Donetsk between 2006 and 2015 marked the peak of his career.
And during that nine-year spell in Ukraine, Adriano thrived on the European stage and helped himself score 32 goals in both the Europa League and the Champions League.
Adriano in the Champions League
Adriano was part of Shakhtar’s squad that won the 2008/09 UEFA Cup – as it was then called – but ended his stay at the club with regular appearances in Europe’s biggest competition.
In fact, Adriano even earned the distinction of equaling Lionel Messi’s record by scoring five goals in a Champions League game, just steps from a double hat-trick against BATE Borisov.
However, as the 2020/21 Champions League season draws to a close, we wanted to examine another way Adriano will always be remembered in tournament cancellations.
Jadon Sancho at Man Utd CLOSE (terrace football)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Nordsjælland
And that’s because the former AC Milan forward scored arguably the most disrespectful goal the competition has ever seen on a trip to Nordsjælland in the 2012/13 campaign.
Shakhtar came out on top 5-2 at Parken Stadium with Willian conceding a brace and Adriano helping himself to a hat-trick, even though his first goal was – how to put it? – questionable.
That’s because Adriano took advantage of Willian to sportily replay the ball at Nordsjælland after a break in the game due to an injury while fleeing at goal to everyone’s amazement.
Adriano’s controversial goal
With the Nordsjælland goalkeeper expected to simply receive the ball so play could resume, Adriano curiously got around him and put the ball in the net. Madness.
There was so much confusion that some Shakhtar players sought to allow Nordsjælland to equalize from the kick-off, only so that one of them wouldn’t get the message and make a tackle.
It was as confusing as you are probably imagining in your head right now, so be sure to check out the bizarre images below:
Have you ever seen something like this in the Champions League ?!
Banned by UEFA
The situation was taken so seriously by UEFA that Adriano, who later apologized for the incident, was given a one-match suspension for “violating the principles of conduct”.
According to Goal, the Brazilian striker explained: “I didn’t see the start of the movement because I was standing with my back to the ball and my face turned towards the opposing goal.
“I was in the attacking zone and didn’t notice what happened in our half of the pitch. I was very focused on the game and when the ball fell close to me the defenders didn’t ‘showed no initiative.
“I picked up the ball, beat the keeper and scored – I’m a striker, that’s what I do.
“Later, after analyzing the replay of this episode and talking to my teammates, I realized what had happened and I completely changed my mind about the episode. I’m so sorry about that. that happened, I apologize to all the fans and to UEFA. “
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