But even Shakhtar have felt the pace of having to play every single European match abroad, often requiring epic overland journeys, especially now two extra league phase fixtures are priced in.
They have won six of the past seven domestic titles but must play catch-up against their old rivals Dynamo Kyiv, a much less visible presence when it comes to flying Ukraine’s flag in wartime, this season.
Last Friday, Kolos Kovalivka opened the second half of this Ukrainian Premier League season with a home match against a struggling Chornomorets Odesa.
The young Brazilian forward Kauã Elias, a £14m January signing from Fluminense two weeks ago and their third-most expensive arrival of all time, was a “Next Generation” pick by this newspaper in 2023and stands a high chance of being next on the conveyor belt.
“Our clubs in European competitions are having the worst results for years, it’s like a nadir for Ukrainian football at this moment,” Palkin says.
