Shakhtar's Brazilians past and present

Mircea Lucescu may be rebuilding Shakhtar Donetsk again, but he is not straying far from the Brazilian formula that has served him and his club so well for so many years.

Shakhtar's enduring links with Brazil began in earnest when Lucescu took over in 2004. Matuzalem, Jadson, Elano and many others soon moved to Donetsk to join Brandão, who had become the club's first Brazilian two years earlier.

Brandão departed shortly before the historic UEFA Cup win in 2009, although by that stage the fans had other Brazilian heroes, including Fernandinho, Luiz Adriano and Willian, not to mention Jadson – scorer of the clinching goal against Werder Bremen in Istanbul.

Several Brazilians did not live up to Shakhtar's expectations, however, so the club strengthened their scouting department before digging into the Brazilian market again, with former Porto chief scout Luis Gonçalves being hired and told to focus more on young talents.

The departures of Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Fernandinho, Willian, Luiz Adriano and Fernando for significant transfer fees have forced Lucescu to reshape his squad once again. While Shakhtar are now giving opportunities to home-grown products like Viktor Kovalenko, Maksym Malyshev and Ivan Ordets, their key players remain Brazilians. It is likely to stay that way for some time to come.

Shakhtar's Brazilians

Márcio Azevedo
The progress of this technically gifted and pacy full-back has been slowed by numerous injuries. If fit, the 30-year-old left-back has all the attributes to replicate the success of Darijo Srna on the opposite flank.

Bernard
Lucescu calls Bernard one of the most capable players he's ever worked with. The 23-year-old has shone only in training until recently, yet is now showing more of his quality in games. A great dribbler with a powerful shot, he can cover almost every attacking position.

Wellington Nem
In his third term at Shakhtar and still to fulfil his potential. Usually deployed as an attacking midfielder, the 24-year-old has lacked consistency so far but looks more and more impressive in 2016.

Dentinho
Has Lucescu's trust and could yet follow in the footsteps of Alex Teixeira, who needed a few seasons to fully adapt to Shakhtar's style. Bought as a striker, the 27-year-old is currently used in midfield.

Ismaily
Highly disciplined and hard-working, the left-back, 26, is becoming more of a regular following a series of solid displays. Boasts a mighty shot and is good at supporting the attack.

Marlos
The 27-year-old midfielder has quick feet and is usually employed in the centre or on the right. His vision has made him one of Shakhtar's best providers, although he is also likely to pop up with a goal himself.

Taison
Probably the fastest player in the Ukrainian league at present. The versatile Brazilian, 28, made his name at Metalist Kharkiv, where he filled numerous positions before becoming a winger at Shakhtar – although Teixeira's move might mean another change.

Fred
His fast and aggressive style reminds Shakhtar fans of Fernandinho, now at Manchester City. It took him 18 months to settle into the role of defensive midfielder, though the 22-year-old must now sit out the rest of the campaign through suspension.

Eduardo
A Croatian international but born in Brazil, the striker is an important element in Lucescu's scheme on and off the pitch. Mainly a substitute these days but always reliable, the 33-year-old can also operate as a second forward or winger.