It is never enough
Friday, July 11, 2025
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan after the match against Ilves (6-0)
– Today, it’s very difficult to win a match 6-0 anywhere in the world, and Ilves are a very good team. They dominated all their domestic matches and have good ball control. We prepared very seriously and we showed this on the pitch. We implemented many of our playing principles. I’m satisfied with the most part of the game. Of course, it is never enough. We had some problems in defence and in building up attacks from goal kicks, but on the other hand, we scored by using the principles we practiced. Also, my players reacted well, and doing that just 20 days after the beginning of the preparation phase was not easy. We are trying to build something here, and it is to our advantage that we have early good results like this. We look at the situation realistically and will approach the return match as seriously as possible.
– First of all, congratulations on your first victory in charge of Shakhtar – such a brilliant win with that score. Shakhtar pressed high: is this part of your long-term vision for the team’s style of play?
– Honestly, I want to do this against any team. If the opponents play out from the goal, that’s an advantage for us. But you need to execute it very precisely on the pitch because there are one-on-one situations in the defensive line. Still, I trust my defenders in this aspect. Shakhtar are a big team and we have to play like a big team – as much as possible on the opponent’s half. At the same time, football is about correct movements and we can change our approach if needed. But overall, basically, I want to play as much as possible on the opponent’s half.
– I followed you, and even with a 5-0 score you looked nervous... It seems dangerous, first of all. And secondly, will it always be like this?
– We have to fight for every ball and every movement. Football isn’t easy, it requires respect and seriousness, so we have to maintain maximum concentration every moment. If we lose focus in another match, it can cause problems. Also, my players are very young and we must show this level every minute. Of course, we see the score is 5-0 and understand what’s happening, but this is our philosophy. We will never calm down because of the score, as we aim for the highest quality of play and the maximum number of goals. I have seen many matches in my life where teams play like this and end up drawing or even losing. So I know this well and under no circumstances will I support a relaxed attitude in such situations.
– As my colleague already mentioned, you are quite an emotional coach and the team were emotionally charged as well. Can you admit what you told the players in the dressing room before the match?
– In life, living every moment with emotions is truly an opportunity. It’s a chance. And if you have this ability, you can really experience these emotions. It’s a chance for people. Regarding what I told the players, I said: if we are Shakhtar, we have to send a clear message from day one about what we want and what we dream of. In my opinion, this game was exactly the message we delivered on the pitch. This is what we want. I also told them: focus on the positive things, because it’s my job to focus on the negative ones. I told them to trust each other. They are very good guys. By the way, maybe I should have said this at the beginning of the press conference: Nazaryna just had a child. I told him he could take as many days off as he wanted. But he said he wants to play in the friendly match. So he will play and then go on leave. I want to congratulate him and his family.
– Kaua Elias scored his first goal in European competitions. How do you see his potential this season as a main striker?
– Kaua Elias has a great future as a striker. He is very effective in the penalty area, but he needs to improve certain aspects like defensive qualities and the number of lost balls. He has excellent potential and I will work with him for a better future. I will always push him to progress, but when he makes mistakes, I will be the first to support him as I never take away the right of my players to make mistakes I’m very satisfied with him, as well as with Eguinaldo and Traore. I will make use of all my 24 players. As I said, Kaua Elias has a great future as a striker, and if he improves the other qualities I have just mentioned, I believe he can play at the highest level.
– First of all, congratulations on your first victory in charge of Shakhtar – such a brilliant win with that score. Shakhtar pressed high: is this part of your long-term vision for the team’s style of play?
– Honestly, I want to do this against any team. If the opponents play out from the goal, that’s an advantage for us. But you need to execute it very precisely on the pitch because there are one-on-one situations in the defensive line. Still, I trust my defenders in this aspect. Shakhtar are a big team and we have to play like a big team – as much as possible on the opponent’s half. At the same time, football is about correct movements and we can change our approach if needed. But overall, basically, I want to play as much as possible on the opponent’s half.
– I followed you, and even with a 5-0 score you looked nervous... It seems dangerous, first of all. And secondly, will it always be like this?
– We have to fight for every ball and every movement. Football isn’t easy, it requires respect and seriousness, so we have to maintain maximum concentration every moment. If we lose focus in another match, it can cause problems. Also, my players are very young and we must show this level every minute. Of course, we see the score is 5-0 and understand what’s happening, but this is our philosophy. We will never calm down because of the score, as we aim for the highest quality of play and the maximum number of goals. I have seen many matches in my life where teams play like this and end up drawing or even losing. So I know this well and under no circumstances will I support a relaxed attitude in such situations.
– As my colleague already mentioned, you are quite an emotional coach and the team were emotionally charged as well. Can you admit what you told the players in the dressing room before the match?
– In life, living every moment with emotions is truly an opportunity. It’s a chance. And if you have this ability, you can really experience these emotions. It’s a chance for people. Regarding what I told the players, I said: if we are Shakhtar, we have to send a clear message from day one about what we want and what we dream of. In my opinion, this game was exactly the message we delivered on the pitch. This is what we want. I also told them: focus on the positive things, because it’s my job to focus on the negative ones. I told them to trust each other. They are very good guys. By the way, maybe I should have said this at the beginning of the press conference: Nazaryna just had a child. I told him he could take as many days off as he wanted. But he said he wants to play in the friendly match. So he will play and then go on leave. I want to congratulate him and his family.
– Kaua Elias scored his first goal in European competitions. How do you see his potential this season as a main striker?
– Kaua Elias has a great future as a striker. He is very effective in the penalty area, but he needs to improve certain aspects like defensive qualities and the number of lost balls. He has excellent potential and I will work with him for a better future. I will always push him to progress, but when he makes mistakes, I will be the first to support him as I never take away the right of my players to make mistakes I’m very satisfied with him, as well as with Eguinaldo and Traore. I will make use of all my 24 players. As I said, Kaua Elias has a great future as a striker, and if he improves the other qualities I have just mentioned, I believe he can play at the highest level.