Reigning Ukraine champions Shakhtar Donetsk, who have been exiled from their native city because of the bloody clashes between government forces and pro-Russia rebels, are dreaming of going home.
Shakhtar have set up their training base in Kiev and have chosen the venue in Lviv — about 1,000km away from Donetsk — in western Ukraine as their home ground for domestic and UEFA Champions League matches.
“I still don’t know when we will have a chance to come back home to Donetsk,” Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu said. “We all want to play at Donbass Arena, to feel our fans’ passionate support, but we have to play at Lviv as our president said it’s still too dangerous to return.”
Photo: EPA
The prospects of Shakhtar’s return are slim at the moment as their training base, “Kirsha” in the south of the city, has been seriously damaged by shelling.
Shells have also damaged the facade of Donetsk’s state-of-the-art Donbass Arena, once a glittering venue which staged matches at the 2012 European championship.
“Of course, we all want to live in peace and harmony,” Ukraine international defender Ivan Ordets said. “We feel comfortable in Kiev, but Donetsk is in our hearts forever. We all want to come back home.”
Earlier this year six foreign players expressed their desire to leave Shakhtar because of the political situation soon after the Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash.
The six were named as Brazilians Fred — an attacking midfielder who has represented his country at U-20 level — Alex Teixeira, Douglas Costa, Dentinho, Ismaily and Argentine Facundo Ferreyra.
However, the personal pledge of security from club president Rinat Akhmetov, as well as the charm front mounted by Lucescu, has helped smooth doubts.
Despite the difficult political situation, Shakhtar have not only kept their lineup, but have also boosted their defense by signing another Brazilian, Marcio Azevedo, from Metalist Kharkiv.
“I’m very grateful to Lucescu, who believes in me and has given me the chances to show what I can do,” Azevedo told reporters. “It’s an absolutely amazing feeling when you play in the Champions League. I was happy like a child during the match with Athletic Bilbao.”
Since Shakhtar were bought by Akhmetov, Ukraine’s richest man, in 1996, the club have ended the domination of Dynamo Kiev in the domestic league and also won the UEFA Cup in 2009.
This year, Shakhtar, whose name means “miner” in Ukrainian, won their fifth consecutive domestic title to bring their overall number of Ukraine titles to nine.
Meanwhile, soccer lovers in Donetsk, who were angered and frustrated after being deprived of the chance to attend matches, are also hoping for a Shakhtar return.
“It’s too far and too expensive for me to drive to Lviv to watch Shakhtar,” 22-year-old fan Alexei said.
“I watched some of their matches this season when they’ve played in Kiev, but it’s not the same as watching them at home. I just can’t wait to see Shakhtar at the Donbass Arena again. We love them and we need them here,” Alexei added.
Shakhtar were to play their second game of the Champions League season yestrday against Porto in Lviv.
The club have been watched by average crowds of about 10,000 at the 35,000-seater Lviv Arena, but local organizers insist yesterday’s game against the Portuguese giants was a sell-out.
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