Shakhtar's Training Camp in Turkey
FC Shakhtar has commenced its preseason training camp in Turkey, scheduling several friendly matches. The club has announced two opponents for this period. On February 7, 2026, Shakhtar will face Georgian powerhouse Dinamo Tbilisi, a 19-time national champion. In the 2025 season, Dinamo Tbilisi finished fourth, trailing the champion, Iberia 1999, by 23 points. Shakhtar's next match will be on February 10, 2026, against Cherkasy's LNZ, the current league leader in the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL).
LNZ's Impressive Preseason Form
Under the guidance of coach Vitaliy Ponomaryov, LNZ has shown excellent form during their camp, securing four wins and one draw. Their victories came against:
- Czech side Dukla Prague
- Polish club Polonia Warsaw
- Bosnian teams Sarajevo and Željezničar
Their sole draw was recorded against Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia. These winter training camps are a common strategy for Ukrainian clubs to prepare for the league's resumption, focusing on tactical sharpness and team cohesion.
Following the camp, Shakhtar will host Karpaty on February 22, while LNZ will play an away match against Epitsentr on February 21. These fixtures are crucial for both teams as they build momentum for the decisive spring phase of the Ukrainian championship. For Shakhtar, these friendlies are vital preparation for their domestic campaign, while LNZ aims to carry its preseason success into the official league matches to maintain its top position.