Shakhtar Donetsk to play Bayern Munich in Champions League 750 miles away due to shelling

Shakhtar Donetsk can't play at the Donbass due to shelling. Credit: Reuters

As fears grow for the fragile ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk will play their Champions League knockout clash with European giants Bayern Munich 750km away in Lviv.

The Ukrainian champions have been forced to move away from their home ground, the Donbass Arena, due to the conflict in the area, which has seen the stadium shelled repeatedly.

Donetsk is the main city in the Donbass region where Malaysian Airlines flight 17 was shot down.

Despite their troubles, Shakhtar have made it through their Champions League group, which included Porto, Athletic Bilbao and BATE.

The prize for progression is a very tough two-legged tie with German champions Bayern Munich.

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu has said: "We will be heroes if we knock them [Bayern] out."

If they are to eliminate them it will be a long way from home, in a ground where they were defeated by the struggling Athletic Bilbao in their last continental game there.

The stadium was built for Euro 2012. Credit: PA

The Donbass Arena was the Ukrainian focal point during Euro 2012, hosting games such as the semi-final between Spain and Portgual.

It cost £260million to build the stadium, which is now unused as the conflict between pro-Russian forces and the Ukrainian government forces.

Shakhtar Donetsk prepared on the pitch in Lviv. Credit: Reuters

Although the club games are now played in Lviv, the team train and the hierarchy operate from Kiev.

Ukrainian and Russia teams are banned from playing each other in European competition due to a Uefa ruling to avoid exacerbating the situation.

The only football Donetsk is played on the streets, at the moment. Credit: Reuters

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will be returning to the stadium in Lviv for a second time after appearing there in Euro 2012.

"I have personally never played against them, but I at least have some experience in the Lviv stadium with the Germany team when we beat Portugal 1-0 there at Euro 2012, so that's a good omen," Neuer said.

It is thought Bayern will make a humanitarian gesture on their trip to Ukraine, but they have been warned to make it apolitical to avoid making the hostility any worse.