Shakhtar Donetsk Prepares for Conference League Opener Against Aberdeen

Shakhtar Donetsk Prepares for Conference League Opener Against Aberdeen

Shakhtar Donetsk Prepares for Conference League Opener Against Aberdeen

Conference League: Aberdeen vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen Date: Thursday, 2 October Kick-off: 20:00 BST

Coverage: Updates available on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds, as well as live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

In a poignant reminder of the impact of conflict, the Donbas Arena in Donetsk, once a vibrant hub for football, now stands in ruins. The stadium, which hosted the Euro 2012 semi-final where Cesc Fabregas celebrated a penalty shootout victory against Portugal, has been abandoned since 2017 due to ongoing military hostilities.

What was once a symbol of hope for football fans was transformed into a humanitarian aid center after Shakhtar Donetsk was forced to relocate over 700 miles west to Lviv in 2014. However, the center was eventually rendered unsustainable due to the escalating unrest in the region.

Shakhtar's last match at their home ground took place on May 2, 2014, a 3-1 victory over Mariupol, a club that no longer exists following the devastation of the 2022 Russian invasion. Despite these challenges, football continues to thrive in Ukraine, albeit in largely empty stadiums and under the constant threat of air raid alerts.

As they prepare to face Aberdeen in their Conference League opener, Shakhtar Donetsk's journey has been marked by resilience. For over a decade, every game has been an away match, with their 'home' fixtures being played in Krakow, Poland, more than 600 miles from their homeland.

The club's participation in the Ukrainian Amputee Football Championship highlights the ongoing struggles faced by many affected by the conflict. Despite their displacement, Shakhtar has maintained a competitive edge, winning the Ukrainian championship six times since leaving Donetsk and regularly advancing to the knockout stages of European competitions.

Under the guidance of new head coach Arda Turan, a former midfielder for Turkey, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, Shakhtar currently leads the Ukrainian league, having started the season unbeaten, apart from a Europa League qualifying defeat to Panathinaikos.

The squad features a blend of local talent and Brazilian players, although £14 million signing Alisson Santana will miss the match due to a leg injury. Captain Mykola Matvienko, an experienced centre-back, and promising midfielder Artem Bondarenko, who scored 12 goals last season, are key figures in the team. Eighteen-year-old Brazilian midfielder Isaque, who recently joined from Fluminense, is eager to make an impact in his first Conference League campaign.

With a roster that resembles a Champions League-caliber team, Shakhtar Donetsk arrives in Aberdeen as one of the favorites to win the competition, proving that their legacy in Ukrainian and European football endures despite their challenges.

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