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Shakhtar Donetsk coach Paolo Fonseca has acknowledged that his side will have to put in maximum effort in training if they are to be ready for their Champions League last-16 tie against Roma.
Shakhtar are currently in Turkey, where they have just begun the first of two training camps to prepare themselves for the second half of the season - after an elongated winter break.
And Fonseca is aware that, while the extended break is the same for all Shakhtar's domestic opponents, it could be a problem in European competition.
"In the league all clubs compete on a level playing field," he said. "This break affects the international competitions more because it takes away the usual pace, and we have to start all over again.
"It’s clear that due to a month’s break, we won’t yet be in the best form by the start of the season’s second part."
He added: "This squad have been with me for a year and a half now, and we’ve achieved a lot. The foundation has been built, being fully understandable to the guys. At the moment we focus on refreshing our ideas and polishing the playing principles.
"Of course, fitness is also very important - it’s important to approach the first match in good form. I want to say it straight: it's much easier after you worked with the players for a certain period. They know perfectly well what the coaching staff expect from them on the field, therefore everything’s fine."
Fonseca's side have a number of friendlies but just one competitive game before they host the Giallorossi in Kharkiv.
"[Roma are] a top-class team with excellent squad," he added. "With the top-quality players and the coach who knows his job perfectly well. We are facing some really tough encounters with Roma, but before that we will also have a meeting with Chornomorets, and we are preparing for that above all.
"Let me remind you that our major focus is the Ukrainian League. After the match against the Odessans, we will have time to think about the Champions League."
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