Here’s everything you need to know about Shakhtar Donetsk, the venue and the city…
Manager
Paolo Fonseca – The Portuguese won the Ukrainian league and cup double last season and was crowned manager of the year in what was his first season in charge.
He failed to qualify for the group stages, but has previous managerial experience in the competition with Porto.
2016/17 league position
1st – Ukrainian champions
2016/17 European campaign
Drew 2-2 with Young Boys in the qualifying round, but lost on penalties and so went into the Europa League group stage.
They topped Group H, but lost in the Round of 32 to semi-finalists Celta Vigo.
2016/17 top scorer
Facundo Ferreyra (16). The Argentine struck 13 times in the league and three times in Europe to finish the season with 16 goals from 28 games. His current record for The Miners averages a goal every other game.
European history
With Fernandinho playing, they lifted the UEFA Cup in 2009. A quarter-final appearance in 2010/11 remains their best run in the Champions League to date.
Form guide
Second in the Ukrainian Premier League on goal difference after seven games, with seven wins, one draw and one defeat on their record. They’re currently on a five-match unbeaten run.*
City links
The Blues’ tireless Brazilian, Fernandinho, spent eight seasons in Donetsk, picking up six league titles and four Ukrainian Cups.
Mexican midfielder, Nery Castillo spent a season on loan at City from Shakhtar in 2008/09, while Andrei Kanchelskis also played for both teams.
Date and venue
Shakhtar are currently playing their home games away from the Donbass Arena and so City travel to the Metalist Stadium on Wednesday 6 December for a 7.45pm (GMT) kick off.
Where is the Metalist Stadium?
The stadium is located south-east of Kharkiv’s city centre, almost three kilometres from the edge of the centre.
What’s the stadium like?
Opened in 1926, it was renovated in 2009 and its capacity stands at 40,003. It hosted three group matches during the Euro 2012 tournament.
Transport links
The city is served by Kharkiv International Airport, while its main train station is five kilometres from the stadium and has connection to most cities in Ukraine.
The Sportyvna metro stop is found right next to the stadium and the Red Line connects the stadium directly with the main train station.
Tickets
Details for our Champions League home games can be found here.
Watch City take on Shakhtar at the Metalist Stadium with Thomas Cook Sport. Match tickets, flights and transfers made easy.
*Correct as of 29 August.
