Why are Shakhtar Donetsk playing Champions League home games at Stamford Bridge?
Shakhtar will play all their UCL home games at Stamford Bridge.
Sergei Palkin, the chief executive of Shakhtar Donetsk, claims that Chelsea‘s Stamford Bridge provides the team with the ideal opportunity to demonstrate that Ukraine is “alive” amid a challenging time in its history.
Since the Russian-led invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian champions have played their home European games in Poland, Germany, and Slovenia. Moreover, they haven’t played in their Donbas Arena in Donetsk since 2014.
Shakhtar still find it difficult to travel for European games, but the team decided to host games against AEK Athens, Sporting, Fenerbahce, and Real Madrid in London. That is almost 2,000 km from its headquarters in Kyiv.
Shakhtar chief reveals reason behind choosing Stamford Bridge to play UCL games
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Shakhtar looked at Brentford and Fulham as possible locations before deciding on Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, which is accessible because the team isn’t playing in Europe this season.
“We decided: let’s move to England,” Palkin explained. “There are a lot of Ukrainian refugees and a lot of Ukrainians living here.”
“London is the football capital of the world. It’s the biggest marketplace for players.”
“For our young players to play at this level in a legendary stadium like Stamford Bridge provides extra motivation and can bring positive results.”
“I first contacted [Chelsea co-owner] Behdad Eghbali and said: ‘What do you think about this idea – playing Champions League matches in your stadium?’
“The reaction was positive. Step by step, it became a reality. Chelsea were very professional.”
Shakhtar’s trip to London has been meticulously organised. Ukrainians living in exile will have access to open training sessions, school visits, and invites to witness their UEFA Youth League games at Chelsea’s youth facility, Kingsmeadow.
Why will Shakhtar play their Champions League games at Stamford Bridge?
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, they haven’t played at their own stadium. Addtionally, since Chelsea aren’t playing in UCL, they decided it would be a good place to host their UCL games.
Which teams will they face in the UCL?
At Stamford Bridge, they will play: AEK Athens, Sporting, Fenerbahce, and Real Madrid.
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