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Featured Image Credit: Image: PA & Twitter
Topics: Real Madrid, Russia, Ukraine, Sheriff Tiraspol
Josh Lawless
Topics: Real Madrid, Russia, Ukraine, Sheriff Tiraspol
Sheriff Tiraspol manager Yuriy Vernydub has joined the Ukrainian army just months after guiding the club to a memorable win over Real Madrid.
In November, the Moldovan champions were responsible for one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history when they beat the 13-time European champions in their own backyard.
Sheriff were playing in the Champions League group stages for the first time ever and claimed a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Midfielder Sebastien Thill, who has a tattoo of him dreaming about the Champions League, smashed in a thunderous strike past Thibaut Courtois in the 90th minute, sparking some truly incredible scenes.
Sheriff ultimately finished in third spot on seven points and ended up dropping into the Europa League, where they were knocked out by Braga on penalties after two legs.
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But around a week after their elimination and manager Vernydub is back in his home country fighting on the front line following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The club's captain, Gustavo Dulanto has reacted to Vernydub taking up arms, writing: "May God protect my Yuri, who has gone to Ukraine."
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Vernydub had a 17-year career player and ended up playing in Russia with Zenit St Petersburg, where he turned out for three seasons and won the Russian cup.
He managed Zorya Luhansk in his native Ukraine for his first job, before having a brief spell in charge of Shakhtyor Soligorsk in a Belarus.
The 56-year-old took the reins at Sheriff in December 2020 and won the Moldovan league title in his first season in charge before guiding them into the Champions League in an unprecedented move.
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Vernydub isn't the only Ukrainian sportsman to lend his hand in the fight against Vladimir Putin and Russia.
Professional boxers Vladimir and Vitali Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko have all signed up to the military.