Shakhtar Donetsk's Remarkable European Journey Continues Against Crystal Palace
Serhii Palkin, the chief executive of Shakhtar Donetsk, expressed initial uncertainty about former player Arda Turan taking over as manager last May. Despite having just left his managerial role at Eyüpspor, Turan eagerly accepted the challenge at Shakhtar, a club exiled from its home since 2014 due to the ongoing war with Russia. Palkin noted, "Arda is a special guy... he doesn’t care about the war, he’s not afraid." As Shakhtar prepares to face Crystal Palace in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final in Krakow, the team’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. They have played 15 European matches since their first Europa League qualifier on July 10. Remarkably, their home games have taken place nearly 1,000 miles from Donetsk due to the war. Dario Srna, Shakhtar's sporting director, highlighted the mental and physical toll of their travel schedule, describing a grueling routine that involves lengthy bus rides and early morning departures. Despite these challenges, Shakhtar has scored 59 goals in 25 league matches under Turan as they aim for the title. The club faced significant challenges following Russia's invasion, losing 14 players and coaching staff, which led to a complete rebuilding phase. Palkin emphasized their commitment to developing talent, particularly from Brazil, while also nurturing local players like Viktor Tsukanov and Denys Smetana. As they advance in the Conference League, Srna admitted to initially doubting the competition but now recognizes its significance, stating, "the whole of Ukraine will watch our game on Thursday." Palkin underscored the importance of using their platform to raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a fair resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-28