This game will be decisive
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan ahead of the UEFA Conference League clash with Hamrun Spartans
– Tomorrow’s match is very valuable and important as it could open the way to our future goals. The opponents, whom we respect greatly, have key players from various countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, and, of course, Malta. We are trying to prepare as best as possible. The best eleven players will take to the pitch, and, of course, we will aim to win. Tomorrow, we need to stay focused as this game will show us how we should look to the future.
– Shakhtar are considered favourites in every Conference League match and, basically, they win, but why is it that they sometimes struggle against opponents who are clearly below in level, given that goal difference can be so important in the end? (UA-Football)
– I don’t agree that we are favourites. I think you should check tomorrow’s opponents. In the UEFA Conference League, we involve young players such as Luca Meirelles, Lucas Ferreira and Isaque. These are players who are still developing. I’m very pleased with their progress and growth. Of course, our jersey represents strength and power, and we respect that, but we must carefully plan what to do in tomorrow’s match. We are not favourites. It is very difficult to play on this pitch. Back in 2008, I was part of a team that played here, although I didn’t take the field in that match myself. We drew and dropped points against a multinational team. They have a very valuable coach and a very valuable system. Favourites or budgets do not win matches before they are played. Football history shows this very clearly. I’m very satisfied with our level of play and progress in the Conference League, but unfortunately, I don’t agree with you on certain points. Have you also seen Hamrun Spartans’ recent match against Lausanne and other teams? They can win and have come close in certain games, they just haven’t always managed to convert key moments. I have great respect for Hamrun Spartans.
– In previous matches, there was a clear distinction between those who play in the domestic league and those in European competitions. Will this continue? And what is the team’s squad situation ahead of this game? (ua.tribuna.com)
– Every one of our players has featured both in the domestic league and in the Conference League. Before each match, we try to determine the best starting eleven depending on the opponents. There is no discrimination. Regarding the squad situation, as you know, only Marlon Santos and Alisson Santana are unavailable. They will return to us after December.
– Mr Turan, as you mentioned, Hamrun Spartans won their last match and came quite close in several others, and the only team to beat them convincingly was Samsunspor from Türkiye. How do you think they could threaten Shakhtar? And what concerns you most about Hamrun Spartans? Is it the psychological boost of beating a European team, or more their physical fitness and perhaps the cleverness of coach Modica? (Maltese media)
– I believe that they could have won even against Samsunspor. The score was 1-0 by the 50th minute and they failed to convert their chance, then conceded from a corner. Hamrun Spartans are the second-best team for crosses in the Conference League, after Rayo Vallecano. They are also fifth for dribbling. They are only two teams between us. If a team can cross well and dribble effectively, they can create threats in many ways. They have a very good right-back who constantly joins the attack and a good left-back who always tries to deliver crosses. Additionally, all their forwards can dribble. They have very strong players, for example Coric; they have quality and everything needed. We truly respect the players they have in their squad. We will be ready for anything they can offer, and as I said, they can create threats by any means. They execute set pieces well, can deliver good crosses and dribble effectively. The atmosphere and this pitch can be challenging, so we need to be prepared. It is also crucial to make the right movements on the pitch during the game. For example, against Lausanne from Switzerland, it was 0-0 by the 50th minute, and if they had scored, it would have been 1-0, and the game could have taken a completely different course.
– How important is this match for your ambitions to secure a place in the top eight of the table? (Maltese media)
– This game will be decisive for our future. If we win, it will be a huge advantage for us. It is very important because in the future we will play two fewer matches. For us, two European games mean 48 hours on the road. Additionally, we will play one round less. That is why having more training sessions and repetitions will be a big advantage for us. This is why tomorrow’s match is so significant. Perhaps, if we didn’t have those two extra European games, we could reduce some fatigue and avoid injuries, which would help us focus better on our target in the league. So in this game, there is more to gain if we win, and less to lose if we lose.
– Mr Turan, has Hamrun Spartans’ level of play in the UEFA Conference League surprised you? Considering this is the first time a Maltese team have reached the league phase of a European competition. Malta is a very small country, but has their consistency from August until now surprised you? (Maltese media)
– First of all, I congratulate them on this achievement. They have a very good coach and are trying to implement the right footballing principles. We had the opportunity to follow them closely because Hamrun Spartans played against Dynamo. By chance, we were able to watch them. I believe they add colour to the league and are progressing very successfully on their chosen path. That is why we respect them immensely. In my opinion, their level of play is appropriate for the UEFA Conference League. Overall, I’m not surprised.
– Shakhtar are considered favourites in every Conference League match and, basically, they win, but why is it that they sometimes struggle against opponents who are clearly below in level, given that goal difference can be so important in the end? (UA-Football)
– I don’t agree that we are favourites. I think you should check tomorrow’s opponents. In the UEFA Conference League, we involve young players such as Luca Meirelles, Lucas Ferreira and Isaque. These are players who are still developing. I’m very pleased with their progress and growth. Of course, our jersey represents strength and power, and we respect that, but we must carefully plan what to do in tomorrow’s match. We are not favourites. It is very difficult to play on this pitch. Back in 2008, I was part of a team that played here, although I didn’t take the field in that match myself. We drew and dropped points against a multinational team. They have a very valuable coach and a very valuable system. Favourites or budgets do not win matches before they are played. Football history shows this very clearly. I’m very satisfied with our level of play and progress in the Conference League, but unfortunately, I don’t agree with you on certain points. Have you also seen Hamrun Spartans’ recent match against Lausanne and other teams? They can win and have come close in certain games, they just haven’t always managed to convert key moments. I have great respect for Hamrun Spartans.
– In previous matches, there was a clear distinction between those who play in the domestic league and those in European competitions. Will this continue? And what is the team’s squad situation ahead of this game? (ua.tribuna.com)
– Every one of our players has featured both in the domestic league and in the Conference League. Before each match, we try to determine the best starting eleven depending on the opponents. There is no discrimination. Regarding the squad situation, as you know, only Marlon Santos and Alisson Santana are unavailable. They will return to us after December.
– Mr Turan, as you mentioned, Hamrun Spartans won their last match and came quite close in several others, and the only team to beat them convincingly was Samsunspor from Türkiye. How do you think they could threaten Shakhtar? And what concerns you most about Hamrun Spartans? Is it the psychological boost of beating a European team, or more their physical fitness and perhaps the cleverness of coach Modica? (Maltese media)
– I believe that they could have won even against Samsunspor. The score was 1-0 by the 50th minute and they failed to convert their chance, then conceded from a corner. Hamrun Spartans are the second-best team for crosses in the Conference League, after Rayo Vallecano. They are also fifth for dribbling. They are only two teams between us. If a team can cross well and dribble effectively, they can create threats in many ways. They have a very good right-back who constantly joins the attack and a good left-back who always tries to deliver crosses. Additionally, all their forwards can dribble. They have very strong players, for example Coric; they have quality and everything needed. We truly respect the players they have in their squad. We will be ready for anything they can offer, and as I said, they can create threats by any means. They execute set pieces well, can deliver good crosses and dribble effectively. The atmosphere and this pitch can be challenging, so we need to be prepared. It is also crucial to make the right movements on the pitch during the game. For example, against Lausanne from Switzerland, it was 0-0 by the 50th minute, and if they had scored, it would have been 1-0, and the game could have taken a completely different course.
– How important is this match for your ambitions to secure a place in the top eight of the table? (Maltese media)
– This game will be decisive for our future. If we win, it will be a huge advantage for us. It is very important because in the future we will play two fewer matches. For us, two European games mean 48 hours on the road. Additionally, we will play one round less. That is why having more training sessions and repetitions will be a big advantage for us. This is why tomorrow’s match is so significant. Perhaps, if we didn’t have those two extra European games, we could reduce some fatigue and avoid injuries, which would help us focus better on our target in the league. So in this game, there is more to gain if we win, and less to lose if we lose.
– Mr Turan, has Hamrun Spartans’ level of play in the UEFA Conference League surprised you? Considering this is the first time a Maltese team have reached the league phase of a European competition. Malta is a very small country, but has their consistency from August until now surprised you? (Maltese media)
– First of all, I congratulate them on this achievement. They have a very good coach and are trying to implement the right footballing principles. We had the opportunity to follow them closely because Hamrun Spartans played against Dynamo. By chance, we were able to watch them. I believe they add colour to the league and are progressing very successfully on their chosen path. That is why we respect them immensely. In my opinion, their level of play is appropriate for the UEFA Conference League. Overall, I’m not surprised.