Shakhtar Donetsk are preparing for one of the most important weeks of their season, but their situation goes far beyond the normal pressures faced by a football club competing in a European semi-final. For them, success is built not only on tactics and talent, but also on endurance through extreme logistical and emotional challenges shaped by war.
After playing Crystal Palace in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League semi-final in Krakow, Poland, the Ukrainian league leaders must immediately switch focus to a physically exhausting schedule. Instead of a straightforward recovery and preparation period, the team faces an 18-hour bus journey back to Kyiv for a domestic league match against Dynamo Kyiv.
Because Ukrainian airspace remains closed due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, Shakhtar cannot travel by plane within their own country. This forces them into long and draining road journeys across Europe. After their domestic fixture, the team will once again return by bus to Poland before flying to London for the second leg of their European tie.
Shakhtar’s sporting director and former captain Darijo Srna explained that this kind of schedule has become a normal part of life for the club over the past several years. He described how the challenges are unlike anything experienced in world football, especially when it comes to player recovery after long journeys.
He noted that no coaching or medical staff in football are truly prepared for conditions like these. Even the best managers in the world—such as Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho, or Jürgen Klopp—would struggle to manage a team under such constant disruption. According to Srna, success in these circumstances depends more on mentality and resilience than standard football preparation.
Since 2014, when conflict in eastern Ukraine began following Russia-backed annexation of Donetsk, Shakhtar have lived a nomadic existence. The club was forced to leave its home city and has since played across various locations in Ukraine. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, their situation became even more complicated, forcing them to host European matches in countries like Germany and Poland.
Despite these difficulties, Shakhtar’s matches have taken on a deeper meaning for Ukrainian supporters. Their games now serve as a symbolic connection to home for millions of displaced Ukrainians. According to club CEO Serhii Palkin, around 26,000 fans attended their match in Krakow, with the vast majority being Ukrainians who have either fled the country or are living abroad.
Many supporters travel long distances from across Europe just to watch the team, turning matches into emotional gatherings rather than simple sporting events. For those unable to return home, watching Shakhtar play represents a rare sense of connection to Ukraine and its identity.
Under new manager Arda Turan, a former midfielder for Atlético Madrid and the Turkish national team, Shakhtar are also chasing sporting success. The club is aiming to win a second European trophy after their UEFA Cup triumph in 2008–09. Their current Conference League campaign has already seen them progress impressively, finishing sixth in the group stage before defeating Lech Poznań and AZ Alkmaar to reach the semi-finals.
For Ukrainians, however, Shakhtar’s journey means far more than results on the pitch. In a time dominated by negative news and ongoing conflict, the club’s success provides moments of pride and emotional relief. Palkin explained that football offers a sense of hope and unity for people living under extreme pressure, helping them feel that Ukrainian sport and identity are still strong and alive.
He emphasized that reaching the semi-finals is not just a sporting achievement, but also a symbolic victory for the country. It shows that Ukrainian teams can still compete at the highest level despite unimaginable circumstances, offering inspiration to people both inside and outside the country.
Shakhtar’s squad itself reflects a unique global structure shaped by necessity and long-standing strategy. For many years, the club has followed a model of signing young Brazilian talents, developing them, and then selling them to major European clubs for significant profit. This approach has produced several world-class players, including Fernandinho, Willian, Douglas Costa, and Fred.
More recently, Mykhailo Mudryk’s €89 million transfer to Chelsea highlighted that Shakhtar remain an important development club in European football. However, the war has disrupted this model significantly. FIFA’s 2022 ruling, which allowed foreign and domestic players in Ukraine to leave on free transfers due to the conflict, caused major losses for the club.
According to Palkin, Shakhtar lost 14 players and members of the coaching staff during this period. As a result, the club had to rebuild almost from scratch, focusing on assembling a new team while maintaining competitiveness in Europe.
Despite the instability, Shakhtar have continued to attract Brazilian players. Their current squad includes 12 Brazilian footballers, and more are expected to join in the future. Even though the country is at war, the club still offers a clear pathway for young talent looking to develop and reach top European leagues.
Palkin made it clear that Shakhtar do not promise comfort or stability to incoming players. Instead, they offer opportunity and exposure at a high level of competition. While the environment is far from ideal, the club’s reputation for player development remains strong.
He also stressed that despite losing their physical home, Shakhtar have not lost their identity. Their structure, philosophy, and recruitment model remain intact, allowing them to continue competing at a high level in European football.
For the club’s leadership, success in Europe carries a deeper purpose. It helps keep Ukraine in the global spotlight during a time when attention can easily fade. Shakhtar’s performances ensure that the country’s struggles and resilience remain visible on the international stage.
Palkin believes that this visibility is important not only for football fans but also for Ukraine’s national morale. He sees the team’s success as something that resonates beyond sport, reaching political and emotional levels within the country.
He also expressed pride in the squad’s unity and determination, describing them as strong and resilient despite everything they have endured. For Shakhtar Donetsk, every match is not just about advancing in a competition, but also about representing a nation that continues to face extraordinary challenges.
