We will stay fully focused on the game
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan ahead of the UEFA Europa League second game against Beşiktaş
– First of all, I’d like to welcome all representatives of the Turkish and Ukrainian media. Tomorrow’s match may be the most psychologically significant in the season, as Beşiktaş have their own history and background that allows the team to come back regardless of the circumstances. We will respect football and stay fully focused on the game. Even though it’s only the start of the season, for us this is one of the finals we will play this year. To progress and reach a new level, we will be completely focused on this match, especially since we have nine games in 30 days in August. This will be a final for us, and we will play to win. But facing Beşiktaş is never easy because, as I said, they have history and very important players who deserve respect. If we are even a little arrogant or relaxed in this game, the problems that arise could follow us throughout the entire season.
– We can see that in a short time you have built a very good, compact team. You managed to achieve this in a very tight timeframe. How did you do it? (TRT Sport)
– At Shakhtar, it’s part of the culture – dominance and ball control. Of course, the players are capable of reacting quickly in a short period, but to achieve automatism and cohesion, you need a lot of repetitions. To be honest, my coaching staff and I expect some recession in our performance, but we are ready for it. We will respond physically and look for alternative game plans to compensate. It’s very important that we are already at this level. However, to reach the top level and for the system to function and stabilise, a short time is obviously not enough. We missed chances and made mistakes in the transition phase, but overall I’m satisfied with the game and ball control. It’s good that we are getting such results at this stage, but more is needed for automatism and mechanism. I believe we are completely on the right path. Over these forty days of work, I want to thank all my players, as we have been living constantly in a hotel due to the circumstances. And that is not easy at all. I’m grateful to them for their work and focus. That’s very important, and I believe it was a good step for us.
– This question may be more about the future, but the UEFA Europa League final this season will take place in Istanbul. As a Turkish coach, would you like to play in the final and perhaps win the trophy there? (Tugba Hacibayramoglu, Freelance)
– For us, honestly, the only final is tomorrow’s match and we will be 100% ready for it. If you think too much about the future, you might stumble between the future and the present. Of course, everyone wants to reach the final, but we are taking it step by step. Tomorrow, we will be fully focused on the game for the sake of our dream – to win. Our only dream right now is to win tomorrow and happily head to Lviv by bus.
– Beşiktaş won’t have Fernandes compared to the first match, as he was sold to another club. Does Shakhtar have any problems with the squad? (terrikon.com)
– First of all, Gedson Fernandes is an important player. I know that because we played together at Galatasaray. As for the squad for tomorrow’s match, we have only one absentee – Krysikiv, who is injured. We want him back as soon as possible because he is an excellent midfielder who will be very important in our future plans as a number six. Of course, along with Marlon Gomes and Ocheretko, they will play a key role going forward. Besides that, the team are doing well. Only Marlon Santos had a minor injury, but we will be ready – the whole team will be 100 percent prepared for tomorrow’s game.
– Considering the result of the first match, it’s clear that Beşiktaş will attack more and take risks, which will give you more space. What will be your plan for tomorrow’s game? (ua.tribuna.com)
– We will try to control the ball, but of course, it won’t be easy against Beşiktaş. There will be moments when they have possession and keep control. We have plans for both situations. As I said, it will be tough – there will be periods when Beşiktaş press us, but that doesn’t mean we are playing badly. On the contrary, it will be important to show good defence and proper game organisation – that’s very important too. We are ready for both scenarios, we have a plan and I hope tomorrow we’ll be able to execute it.
– This might be a bit off-topic, but looking from the outside, how do you currently assess Turkish football? You have had a great career and significant achievements, yet we see that Turkish teams are not as successful in Europe as they used to be. (TRT Sport)
– I see positive progress, but of course, stability is key. Speaking generally, I think we don’t have enough time right now to fully answer that question. However, I believe it’s important to insist on the right things we are already doing, rather than just focusing on results. Transfers, management and everything we plan should be based on the right steps, and then I’m confident it will be best for our overall progress. I hope Turkish football will continue to act this way.
– This is Shakhtar’s first home match in Kraków. What are your impressions of the country, the city, and the stadium? (Onet.pl)
– Poland is a wonderful country. Since we arrived, I’ve constantly recalled information I knew before. I know Poland’s history and I had a lot of positive information about this country. As for the stadium, I believe it is one of the most beautiful places in the world to play football. From the moment we arrived, you have been very hospitable and I want to thank you for opening the doors of your stadium to us. We have been very happy since we got here. It’s a lovely city, there’s so much greenery around and we see smiling people everywhere. Whatever I say about Poland and this stadium will be positive. We’re very glad to be here and we thank you for that. But of course, I would really like to play this match in Ukraine, and playing there one day is my dream.
– We can see that in a short time you have built a very good, compact team. You managed to achieve this in a very tight timeframe. How did you do it? (TRT Sport)
– At Shakhtar, it’s part of the culture – dominance and ball control. Of course, the players are capable of reacting quickly in a short period, but to achieve automatism and cohesion, you need a lot of repetitions. To be honest, my coaching staff and I expect some recession in our performance, but we are ready for it. We will respond physically and look for alternative game plans to compensate. It’s very important that we are already at this level. However, to reach the top level and for the system to function and stabilise, a short time is obviously not enough. We missed chances and made mistakes in the transition phase, but overall I’m satisfied with the game and ball control. It’s good that we are getting such results at this stage, but more is needed for automatism and mechanism. I believe we are completely on the right path. Over these forty days of work, I want to thank all my players, as we have been living constantly in a hotel due to the circumstances. And that is not easy at all. I’m grateful to them for their work and focus. That’s very important, and I believe it was a good step for us.
– This question may be more about the future, but the UEFA Europa League final this season will take place in Istanbul. As a Turkish coach, would you like to play in the final and perhaps win the trophy there? (Tugba Hacibayramoglu, Freelance)
– For us, honestly, the only final is tomorrow’s match and we will be 100% ready for it. If you think too much about the future, you might stumble between the future and the present. Of course, everyone wants to reach the final, but we are taking it step by step. Tomorrow, we will be fully focused on the game for the sake of our dream – to win. Our only dream right now is to win tomorrow and happily head to Lviv by bus.
– Beşiktaş won’t have Fernandes compared to the first match, as he was sold to another club. Does Shakhtar have any problems with the squad? (terrikon.com)
– First of all, Gedson Fernandes is an important player. I know that because we played together at Galatasaray. As for the squad for tomorrow’s match, we have only one absentee – Krysikiv, who is injured. We want him back as soon as possible because he is an excellent midfielder who will be very important in our future plans as a number six. Of course, along with Marlon Gomes and Ocheretko, they will play a key role going forward. Besides that, the team are doing well. Only Marlon Santos had a minor injury, but we will be ready – the whole team will be 100 percent prepared for tomorrow’s game.
– Considering the result of the first match, it’s clear that Beşiktaş will attack more and take risks, which will give you more space. What will be your plan for tomorrow’s game? (ua.tribuna.com)
– We will try to control the ball, but of course, it won’t be easy against Beşiktaş. There will be moments when they have possession and keep control. We have plans for both situations. As I said, it will be tough – there will be periods when Beşiktaş press us, but that doesn’t mean we are playing badly. On the contrary, it will be important to show good defence and proper game organisation – that’s very important too. We are ready for both scenarios, we have a plan and I hope tomorrow we’ll be able to execute it.
– This might be a bit off-topic, but looking from the outside, how do you currently assess Turkish football? You have had a great career and significant achievements, yet we see that Turkish teams are not as successful in Europe as they used to be. (TRT Sport)
– I see positive progress, but of course, stability is key. Speaking generally, I think we don’t have enough time right now to fully answer that question. However, I believe it’s important to insist on the right things we are already doing, rather than just focusing on results. Transfers, management and everything we plan should be based on the right steps, and then I’m confident it will be best for our overall progress. I hope Turkish football will continue to act this way.
– This is Shakhtar’s first home match in Kraków. What are your impressions of the country, the city, and the stadium? (Onet.pl)
– Poland is a wonderful country. Since we arrived, I’ve constantly recalled information I knew before. I know Poland’s history and I had a lot of positive information about this country. As for the stadium, I believe it is one of the most beautiful places in the world to play football. From the moment we arrived, you have been very hospitable and I want to thank you for opening the doors of your stadium to us. We have been very happy since we got here. It’s a lovely city, there’s so much greenery around and we see smiling people everywhere. Whatever I say about Poland and this stadium will be positive. We’re very glad to be here and we thank you for that. But of course, I would really like to play this match in Ukraine, and playing there one day is my dream.