We will be ready to fight
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan ahead of the UEFA Europa League match against Panathinaikos
– Good evening, everyone. We respect Panathinaikos, their culture, their fans and their stadium. We will be ready for tomorrow’s match with all this in mind and we will be ready to fight. We will try to impose our game on the pitch without stepping back. We understand it will not be easy, as they have experienced players who move very well. We will maintain this respect during the match. We will try to show our dynamism on the pitch and make use of our young players. I think it will be a good match for both teams, but even if we gain an advantage in the first game, we will understand that this tie consists of two matches, and we will try to distribute our efforts over all 90 minutes accordingly.
– My question concerns Panathinaikos’ style and game model. Beşiktaş are primarily known for being very strong in transitions. How would you describe Panathinaikos? What are this team’s main strengths? (Shakhtar Life YouTube project)
– First of all, Panathinaikos are a very good team and I cannot give you all the answers to this question right now, but I can say that they are effective through their crosses from the flanks. Sometimes they try to control the ball. Depending on the chosen level of intensity, they can act in different ways and we prepare each of our players accordingly. For example, if Tete plays on the right wing, he will tend to cut inside more. If it is Pellistri, he will make more use of the flank. So their tactics and the zones where the footballers operate can vary depending on the selected performers. And of course, their full-backs also often join the attack and deliver many crosses. We are ready for all match situations. This is exactly how we try to build our strategy for the game because you need to be prepared for all aspects and elements of the game when you face a team like Panathinaikos.
– You have already played against a team from your own country, Beşiktaş, and now you are facing a team previously coached by Turkish manager Fatih Terim. It is also known that there is another Turkish coach in basketball – Ergin Ataman. You said you are familiar with the atmosphere that prevails in Greek stadiums. I would like to ask if you follow basketball and if you have seen how Panathinaikos fans behave, especially now that the team is coached by Ataman? And what are the features of this atmosphere? (Cosmote TV)
– First of all, since I’m Turkish, I know very well what this atmosphere is like. I have also received very important information from Fatih Terim about the energy and passion of the local fans. Among the names you mentioned, Fatih Terim is like a father to me and Ergin Ataman is like an older brother. Actually, I was at that stadium during the play-offs, right next to the bench. So I know Gate 13 very well, their energy and how incredible those fans are. It’s a pleasure to play football in such an atmosphere and in front of such fans. And if we get the chance, I would very much like one day to welcome you to such an atmosphere in Ukraine. I also know basketball player Cedi Osman well, he is like a brother to me. From him, I have also learned about the passion of the local supporters. Football is wonderful with fans in such an atmosphere. And instead of being afraid of such an atmosphere, we try to enjoy it and treat it as experience. Rather than playing in empty arenas without fans, I think it is a great experience for us to play in such an atmosphere. And in my opinion, it is very good that Panathinaikos fans are so well known and highly respected worldwide.
– My question is about Kevin. He is a very important player for your team, but he won’t play tomorrow. What can you say about this situation? (terrikon.com)
– Kevin is very important for us, I know that, but for me all my players are very important. They are equal in terms of their significance. However, Kevin is a special player for our attacking decisions. I love him like a brother, not just as a footballer. If he’s not with us, it’s sad, but we are looking forward to his return. It will happen quite quickly, but the main thing is that he is ready. Once he is ready, we will be able to talk about him. Because I don’t have exact information, the doctors know better than I do. This is very important for us. Truly important. We’ll see. Right now, we are thinking only about tomorrow’s match. And Kevin is also thinking about this game, although it’s not easy for him.
– You have already made history at Shakhtar by becoming the youngest coach in the Ukrainian Championship. However, I got the impression that you are already a very experienced coach. What have you learned as a coach during your time in Ukraine, at Shakhtar? And could you briefly summarise this period with the team? Also, perhaps a few words about your first experience crossing the border for an away match? (ua.tribuna.com)
– First of all, I’m very glad to have become the youngest coach to win with Shakhtar. But I don’t consider that we have won anything yet. If there is anything to win, it will happen at the end. At the same time, I’m very pleased with the progress, energy and play of my players. I don’t think I’m already an experienced coach, but I can say that I have a lot of experience of victories and defeats in sport. And I believe I can help my players with this. Regardless of whether we win or lose, I treat them the same – as human beings. Because anyone can be a good coach when everything is going well. But the main thing is to remain good for your players when things go badly, to keep their trust and be devoted to each other in difficult moments. Regarding crossing the border. Honestly, it is very sad and very difficult, but we will not use this as an excuse. Every time we cross the border, I experience strong emotions because I think about many stories related to the current circumstances. It is truly hard, but there are people who have been doing this for three or four years already. And it is not easy at all. In the end, it is the people who suffer – the youth, the children. Whenever we cross the border, we will not make an excuse of it, but focus only on the positive. The positive is that we wear Shakhtar shirts and do something to bring people joy. Nothing else matters to us. We only think about making people happy and finishing this story in the best possible way. Also, in Ternopil, it was not easy to walk around the city and see all those photographs of young people.
– My question concerns Panathinaikos’ style and game model. Beşiktaş are primarily known for being very strong in transitions. How would you describe Panathinaikos? What are this team’s main strengths? (Shakhtar Life YouTube project)
– First of all, Panathinaikos are a very good team and I cannot give you all the answers to this question right now, but I can say that they are effective through their crosses from the flanks. Sometimes they try to control the ball. Depending on the chosen level of intensity, they can act in different ways and we prepare each of our players accordingly. For example, if Tete plays on the right wing, he will tend to cut inside more. If it is Pellistri, he will make more use of the flank. So their tactics and the zones where the footballers operate can vary depending on the selected performers. And of course, their full-backs also often join the attack and deliver many crosses. We are ready for all match situations. This is exactly how we try to build our strategy for the game because you need to be prepared for all aspects and elements of the game when you face a team like Panathinaikos.
– You have already played against a team from your own country, Beşiktaş, and now you are facing a team previously coached by Turkish manager Fatih Terim. It is also known that there is another Turkish coach in basketball – Ergin Ataman. You said you are familiar with the atmosphere that prevails in Greek stadiums. I would like to ask if you follow basketball and if you have seen how Panathinaikos fans behave, especially now that the team is coached by Ataman? And what are the features of this atmosphere? (Cosmote TV)
– First of all, since I’m Turkish, I know very well what this atmosphere is like. I have also received very important information from Fatih Terim about the energy and passion of the local fans. Among the names you mentioned, Fatih Terim is like a father to me and Ergin Ataman is like an older brother. Actually, I was at that stadium during the play-offs, right next to the bench. So I know Gate 13 very well, their energy and how incredible those fans are. It’s a pleasure to play football in such an atmosphere and in front of such fans. And if we get the chance, I would very much like one day to welcome you to such an atmosphere in Ukraine. I also know basketball player Cedi Osman well, he is like a brother to me. From him, I have also learned about the passion of the local supporters. Football is wonderful with fans in such an atmosphere. And instead of being afraid of such an atmosphere, we try to enjoy it and treat it as experience. Rather than playing in empty arenas without fans, I think it is a great experience for us to play in such an atmosphere. And in my opinion, it is very good that Panathinaikos fans are so well known and highly respected worldwide.
– My question is about Kevin. He is a very important player for your team, but he won’t play tomorrow. What can you say about this situation? (terrikon.com)
– Kevin is very important for us, I know that, but for me all my players are very important. They are equal in terms of their significance. However, Kevin is a special player for our attacking decisions. I love him like a brother, not just as a footballer. If he’s not with us, it’s sad, but we are looking forward to his return. It will happen quite quickly, but the main thing is that he is ready. Once he is ready, we will be able to talk about him. Because I don’t have exact information, the doctors know better than I do. This is very important for us. Truly important. We’ll see. Right now, we are thinking only about tomorrow’s match. And Kevin is also thinking about this game, although it’s not easy for him.
– You have already made history at Shakhtar by becoming the youngest coach in the Ukrainian Championship. However, I got the impression that you are already a very experienced coach. What have you learned as a coach during your time in Ukraine, at Shakhtar? And could you briefly summarise this period with the team? Also, perhaps a few words about your first experience crossing the border for an away match? (ua.tribuna.com)
– First of all, I’m very glad to have become the youngest coach to win with Shakhtar. But I don’t consider that we have won anything yet. If there is anything to win, it will happen at the end. At the same time, I’m very pleased with the progress, energy and play of my players. I don’t think I’m already an experienced coach, but I can say that I have a lot of experience of victories and defeats in sport. And I believe I can help my players with this. Regardless of whether we win or lose, I treat them the same – as human beings. Because anyone can be a good coach when everything is going well. But the main thing is to remain good for your players when things go badly, to keep their trust and be devoted to each other in difficult moments. Regarding crossing the border. Honestly, it is very sad and very difficult, but we will not use this as an excuse. Every time we cross the border, I experience strong emotions because I think about many stories related to the current circumstances. It is truly hard, but there are people who have been doing this for three or four years already. And it is not easy at all. In the end, it is the people who suffer – the youth, the children. Whenever we cross the border, we will not make an excuse of it, but focus only on the positive. The positive is that we wear Shakhtar shirts and do something to bring people joy. Nothing else matters to us. We only think about making people happy and finishing this story in the best possible way. Also, in Ternopil, it was not easy to walk around the city and see all those photographs of young people.