The team pleasantly surprised me
Friday, July 4, 2025
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Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan assessed the first pre-season friendly against Gorica (1-0)
– Mister, although it was a friendly, this was your debut in charge of Shakhtar. What are your impressions?
– We’ve just come out of a very intense physical phase. The goal is to be well-rested but physically ready in five or six days. Today, the players showed a great response: I saw a lot on the pitch that I wanted to see. Of course, we’re trying to implement new principles after a long period and we want to make their play more dynamic. Today’s pressing, ball possession, attacking efficiency – I’m very pleased with everything. They showed a great reaction. Well done! Honestly, I didn’t expect this much. They really pleasantly surprised me.
– Analyse the match: what did you like and what would you like to improve?
– We didn’t give the players much information beforehand, we treated the game as a training session. You could see that they played 45 minutes each. I wanted to give three forwards 30 minutes each. More possession and quick reactions after losing the ball. We focused on our own principles. What I saw today was very encouraging for the future. Their energy… That’s exactly how they should play – dynamically and energetically. I’m very satisfied with the day. I think the players are happy too.
– In a week, the team will play their first competitive match. What kind of Shakhtar would you like to see there and throughout the season?
– I believe we will perform well and with strength, keep possession and do it the Shakhtar way. We will control the game in the opposing half. You will see a team that react to every ball and give everything to win. We will never back down to be fully ready in five days. I have great trust in my players, I can see the fire in their eyes. We will play with passion and intensity.
– We’ve just come out of a very intense physical phase. The goal is to be well-rested but physically ready in five or six days. Today, the players showed a great response: I saw a lot on the pitch that I wanted to see. Of course, we’re trying to implement new principles after a long period and we want to make their play more dynamic. Today’s pressing, ball possession, attacking efficiency – I’m very pleased with everything. They showed a great reaction. Well done! Honestly, I didn’t expect this much. They really pleasantly surprised me.
– Analyse the match: what did you like and what would you like to improve?
– We didn’t give the players much information beforehand, we treated the game as a training session. You could see that they played 45 minutes each. I wanted to give three forwards 30 minutes each. More possession and quick reactions after losing the ball. We focused on our own principles. What I saw today was very encouraging for the future. Their energy… That’s exactly how they should play – dynamically and energetically. I’m very satisfied with the day. I think the players are happy too.
– In a week, the team will play their first competitive match. What kind of Shakhtar would you like to see there and throughout the season?
– I believe we will perform well and with strength, keep possession and do it the Shakhtar way. We will control the game in the opposing half. You will see a team that react to every ball and give everything to win. We will never back down to be fully ready in five days. I have great trust in my players, I can see the fire in their eyes. We will play with passion and intensity.