Like the first two “home games”, Shakhtar Donetsk will also play the game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League at Schalke.
Club boss Serhiy Palkin from Shakhtar Donetsk spoke before the “home game” against Bayern Munich Gelsenkirchen German hospitality was appreciated. “We have a really good relationship with the people in Germany. That was great in Hamburg and it is now also great at Schalke,” said the managing director of the Ukrainian champions at “Sport1”.
Games at Schalke well attended
Donetsk played its international home games in Hamburg last season, but this season they chose the arena in Gelsenkirchen. “There are real football fans everywhere and the stadiums are full – no matter which opponent we play against. It’s a lot of fun,” said Palkin.
Both the home games against Atalanta Bergamo (0:3/21,636 spectators) and against Young Boys Bern (2:1/17,420) were well attended. The Ukrainians want to improve against Bayern on Tuesday (9 p.m.) in front of a full house. “We always have chances. We can win against any team. We just have to make the impossible possible,” said Palkin.
“The logistics are crazy”
In general, the travel – Donetsk plays in Kiev in the league and cup – is a big challenge. “The whole logistics alone is crazy.” For the game against Bayern, the pure travel time is “probably up to 20 hours – hotel stays and other stopovers are not taken into account. No club in Europe has to travel that much. We could fly around the world with it.”
When playing in Ukraine, there is also the constant danger of war: “A few months ago we had an away game in Kryvyi Rih in the east of Ukraine. Our hotel, where we were supposed to sleep, was hit by rockets and destroyed shortly before our arrival. “
