We could have played better
Sunday, August 10, 2025
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan after the UPL match against Karpaty
– First of all, I want to say that the match actually started well for our team: we had possession and applied the high pressing patterns that we believe in and must stick to. The style of play we tried to offer in midfield corresponds to our standards. Unfortunately, all the goals we conceded also came from those standards we try to apply. And today, for various reasons, we failed to meet them. Of course, I’m not satisfied with the result, nor with our performance, I feel we could have played much better. Fatigue and a packed schedule are taking their toll, but I’m not here to look for excuses, only to find solutions. So I can only state that we will be seeking those solutions. Regarding today’s match, I can say that we didn’t lose two points, but rather earned one given how the match unfolded. Right now, it’s important for us to focus on upcoming games and improve what we can based on our mistakes I want to congratulate Karpaty, they truly deserved this draw with their commitment and the way they showed themselves on the pitch. We need to be more loyal to the patterns we try to uphold, and perhaps we also need to diversify the options we have, especially in the final third. Football in general is a fairly simple game: sooner or later, the stage of one-on-one battles arrives, and we need to improve precisely in this aspect. Of course, we are disappointed today, but we don’t hang our heads or give up, we keep moving forward. And I’m confident we will improve in all aspects.
– You were here with Galatasaray and the match ended 1-1 in 2010. Do you think today felt like some kind of deja vu with another draw? And how did you find the atmosphere at our stadium? (karpaty.com.ua)
– Football to some extent consists of such stories, of these deja vu, and that is definitely a wonderful thing. Sometimes you have to respect your defeats and failures – that is also part of football, and it shows a certain strength of you as a team, as individuals. As for the atmosphere in the stadium, it really was incredible, and I’m glad to experience moments like these. Unfortunately, regarding the sporting contest itself, today my team and I are disappointed, but I’m happy that the fans were able to create a fantastic atmosphere, full of emotion and drive. So, as I said, we respect this setback, but we also respect what the opponents showed, how the fans presented themselves in the stands and overall the atmosphere of a football celebration.
– Oleg Ocheretko spent last season at Karpaty. Did you talk to him? Maybe he gave you some tactical advice or told you about the players? So, did you listen to him and did he help you prepare for this match?
– Of course, when it comes to valuable tactical insights, I’m always open to my players and glad to listen to them. There has never been an instance where I didn’t allow them to express their thoughts. I also have a very competent team of analysts who break down the game from A to Z, and I fully trust them. We watch, without exaggeration, every match of all opponents, but due to the constant lack of time, it’s not always possible to implement some tactical or strategic details. However, I respect any such input and I’m always open to the opinions of my players.
– Your team scored the first goal quickly, and when Karpaty equalised, they also quickly scored the second and third goals. Tell us, why did you not continue to attack, press, and build on your success after scoring?
– First of all, I want to emphasise that if we play like this, we don’t deserve to win. Because big teams cannot afford to concede three goals in one match, and as a coach, I admit that I probably should have chosen a better plan and strategy for this game. So the fact that I couldn’t find better solutions for this match is primarily my responsibility. And now I must correct this as the head coach because, as I said, it is unacceptable for a team that position themselves as a big club to concede three goals in 90 minutes. Of course, we will keep moving forward and respect this experience – although it is sad, it is valuable for us.
– Today you were asked about the match when you came here as a player, so please compare which was more difficult for you: being here as a footballer or now as a coach? And also: you received a yellow card quite early and were unhappy with the referee’s decision, how do you comment on the officiating? (Lviv Wave Radio)
– First of all, if we compare Karpaty then and now, I can’t really say, as quite some time has passed, but I’m sure there are similarities in many aspects –7 both football-related and off the pitch. What you are right about is that both then and this encounter can be considered top matches, although for me both games have a sad undertone. Regarding the course of events on the pitch, if we allow ourselves to concede three goals in one match, there can be no talk about refereeing. What’s important for us now is to draw the right conclusions and learn the necessary lessons. So, in my opinion, it’s quite pointless to talk about the referee right now. We must focus on ourselves, on our mistakes and on how we allowed them to happen.
– You were here with Galatasaray and the match ended 1-1 in 2010. Do you think today felt like some kind of deja vu with another draw? And how did you find the atmosphere at our stadium? (karpaty.com.ua)
– Football to some extent consists of such stories, of these deja vu, and that is definitely a wonderful thing. Sometimes you have to respect your defeats and failures – that is also part of football, and it shows a certain strength of you as a team, as individuals. As for the atmosphere in the stadium, it really was incredible, and I’m glad to experience moments like these. Unfortunately, regarding the sporting contest itself, today my team and I are disappointed, but I’m happy that the fans were able to create a fantastic atmosphere, full of emotion and drive. So, as I said, we respect this setback, but we also respect what the opponents showed, how the fans presented themselves in the stands and overall the atmosphere of a football celebration.
– Oleg Ocheretko spent last season at Karpaty. Did you talk to him? Maybe he gave you some tactical advice or told you about the players? So, did you listen to him and did he help you prepare for this match?
– Of course, when it comes to valuable tactical insights, I’m always open to my players and glad to listen to them. There has never been an instance where I didn’t allow them to express their thoughts. I also have a very competent team of analysts who break down the game from A to Z, and I fully trust them. We watch, without exaggeration, every match of all opponents, but due to the constant lack of time, it’s not always possible to implement some tactical or strategic details. However, I respect any such input and I’m always open to the opinions of my players.
– Your team scored the first goal quickly, and when Karpaty equalised, they also quickly scored the second and third goals. Tell us, why did you not continue to attack, press, and build on your success after scoring?
– First of all, I want to emphasise that if we play like this, we don’t deserve to win. Because big teams cannot afford to concede three goals in one match, and as a coach, I admit that I probably should have chosen a better plan and strategy for this game. So the fact that I couldn’t find better solutions for this match is primarily my responsibility. And now I must correct this as the head coach because, as I said, it is unacceptable for a team that position themselves as a big club to concede three goals in 90 minutes. Of course, we will keep moving forward and respect this experience – although it is sad, it is valuable for us.
– Today you were asked about the match when you came here as a player, so please compare which was more difficult for you: being here as a footballer or now as a coach? And also: you received a yellow card quite early and were unhappy with the referee’s decision, how do you comment on the officiating? (Lviv Wave Radio)
– First of all, if we compare Karpaty then and now, I can’t really say, as quite some time has passed, but I’m sure there are similarities in many aspects –7 both football-related and off the pitch. What you are right about is that both then and this encounter can be considered top matches, although for me both games have a sad undertone. Regarding the course of events on the pitch, if we allow ourselves to concede three goals in one match, there can be no talk about refereeing. What’s important for us now is to draw the right conclusions and learn the necessary lessons. So, in my opinion, it’s quite pointless to talk about the referee right now. We must focus on ourselves, on our mistakes and on how we allowed them to happen.