Shakhtar Donetsk is forced to play their semi-final match against Crystal Palace in Poland due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The UEFA Conference League semi-final first leg takes place on April 30, 2026, at 19:00 UTC.
The venue is the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Kraków. This marks Crystal Palace’s first major European semi-final. Shakhtar Donetsk has a rich European history, having won the UEFA Cup in 2009.
Key statistics:
- Ismaïla Sarr leads the competition with seven goals.
- Both teams have conceded ten goals throughout the tournament.
- The return match will occur at Selhurst Park in London on May 7, 2026.
Shakhtar’s manager is Arda Turan, while Oliver Glasner manages Crystal Palace. The teams come into this match with different recent performances; Shakhtar drew 2-2 against AZ Alkmaar, and Palace won 3-0 against Fiorentina.
Officials have not confirmed how playing outside Ukraine might affect Shakhtar’s performance. Some analysts suggest this could be a significant disadvantage for them in European competition.
Still, Shakhtar Donetsk enters the match with more experience in European competitions compared to their opponents. This context adds an intriguing layer to their clash against Crystal Palace.