Ukrainian clubs build at foundation

Ukrainian international Serhiy Kravchenko new arrival put it best when discussing playing chances with Yuri Semin's great club:

"Young and experienced alike have equal chances of making the starting XI. The atmosphere is really creative (with Dynamo Kyiv) and competition for places in the lineup is tough."

While Dynamo hold a commanding six point lead, Metalist Kharkiv have added Andriy Berezovchuk from Metalurh Donetsk, welcome back Ukraine U21 Denis Oleynik from Arsenal Kyiv and signed Walter Aníbal Acevedo in addition to building a strong core with the academy.

However Shakhtar Donetsk is ready for the challenge as Nery Castillo and Ruslan Fomin have returned from loan with something to prove. While the transfer season has seen a departure of Brandão to Olympique de Marseille they have been very encouraged by the play of Castillo and the development of academy product Yaroslav Rakitsky.