DONETSK, Ukraine — Shakhtar Donetsk’s coach says the Ukrainian champion will play its home games this season in Lviv in western Ukraine, over 600 miles from its home city, due to ongoing conflict in the east of the country.
Donetsk is the largest city controlled by pro-Russian militants and has seen increased fighting in recent days as Ukrainian forces advance.
Coach Mircea Lucescu said on the club website that “Arena Lviv will be our home arena” for Champions League and domestic games. Players and staff will live in the capital Kyiv.
He said Shakhtar will return to the Donbass Arena in Donetsk as soon as possible.
Shakhtar beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 to lift the Ukrainian Super Cup in its season-opening game in Lviv on Tuesday.
