Shakhtar Donetsk
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Shakhtar Donetsk achieved a stunning domestic double this season, their first since the 2012/2013 campaign. Now coached by Paulo Fonseca, the Ukranian outfit play an exciting, attractive brand of football and will no doubt be an asset in the Champions League.
This despite the club playing with the backdrop of conflict in Ukraine. Shakhtar, after all, still play their football at Kharkiv, given their own stunning Donbass Arena has been declared off limits since 2014. Shakhtar moved all home games to Kharkiv (150 miles to the north of Donetsk) in early 2017 and subsequently all other club operations including training and business.
On the field, they have not been distracted, however, and Fonseca has built an interesting side capable of causing big teams problems. If it wasn’t for a late surge from Celta Vigo in the Europa League this past season then the Ukranian side could have gone all the way. At home, they remain a threat too, despite having to move away from their own turf.
The likes of Taison, Fred and Bernard will be difficult to contain for many teams as Shakhtar look to make their mark in Europe’s elite competition.
