We want to start this story well
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan ahead of the UEFA Europa League home game against Ilves
– First of all, I would really like to play this game in our country, Ukraine, but sometimes life’s circumstances are different. I want to appeal to all world leaders to be more compassionate and wish everyone peace. Although we’re not playing in our country as hosts, I would like to say “welcome” to our opponents. We will face a team with a plan and a system. We have been working hard to be in our best form during these 20 days of preparation. I trust my players and believe in their potential. We want to start this very beautiful and special story well here. My players already have experience at this level since they have played here before, and I believe they will start well tomorrow, performing at the same level.
– Is the starting line-up from the friendly against Slovácko the same as for tomorrow’s match? (terrikon.com)
– No, it’s not the potential squad for tomorrow’s game yet. I look at this the same way I did as a player. We don’t have just 11 players, but 24 – and we need all of them because six substitutions are allowed per game. You might know the starting eleven, but as a coach, you never know which line-up will finish the match.
– Shakhtar hasn’t made any transfers this summer so far. Is that enough to get past Ilves and through the entire European qualifiers? (ua.tribuna.com)
– I trust my players and their potential. I always say that. We have 24 good players we trust right now. If we need transfers, we will talk about it. But I also believe that transfers made in such a short time won’t benefit the team. I think that with the players we trust now, we can reach the league phase of the Europa League. And if we need anything, like a transfer, we will discuss it with Darijo.
– As a player, you must have been hard to surprise with European matches. What does coach Arda Turan feel ahead of his double debut? (terrikon.com)
– Of course, I’m excited. Truly excited. But, in my opinion, I have the knowledge and experience to build a team and win. And I trust that I can pass this on to my players and my coaching staff. I can say that I’m excited. But considering my experience, I don’t think I’ll face any problems.
– In one of your first interviews as the Pitmen’s head coach, you said that a club like Shakhtar shouldn’t start the season so early. Please explain, in your opinion, what’s the problem with such an early start: is it that it’s difficult to properly manage energy throughout the season or is it that such an early start is bad for the club’s image? (ua-football.com)
– What I meant is that the big European clubs enter the European competitions at the league phase or, at least, the play-off round. And since Shakhtar is a major club in Europe, we should be starting at those stages. That’s what I meant. So, can such an early start be a disadvantage? We want to build a system and organisation. And when you want to do that, you need automatisms and certain mechanisms. To create those, you need a lot of repetitions. Maybe we need to repeat certain things hundreds of times, working on them every day. We have a system. It’s based on passing and reaction. And we need a lot of repetitions to hone it. As for the early start and its impact on the team: if it causes any physical difficulties, that’s no longer my concern but that of the fitness department. We will use the latest scientific achievements. Of course, it’s not easy. But when our country is in such a situation, I don’t think we have the right to complain or look for excuses.
– Recently, Darijo Srna told Spanish media that Arda Turan is like Diego Simeone in defence and Luis Enrique in attack. In this context, considering that Simeone is known for favouring a three-centre-back formation at Atlético Madrid, the question is: do you plan to use a similar three-centre-back system at Shakhtar and do you share the view that playing with three centre-backs is a more defence-oriented style? (sport.ua)
– I don’t believe in numbers in football. I believe more in principles and details. Regarding these coaches, I simply take them as examples, but I don’t copy them. There is a big difference between copying and following an example. About Simeone – I take inspiration from his principles and details, but every game requires separate analysis and its own vision. I have the experience to implement these principles and details. But in life, I have always believed in beautiful football and scoring more goals. If I want better defence, it’s to have a better attack. There are also other coaches I look up to: Hiddink, Rijkaard, Fatih Terim. But again, we don’t copy them; we just learn from their principles and details. As for playing with three centre-backs, we are not considering that idea at the moment. But if the need arises, why not?
– Shakhtar haven’t played against Finnish teams in their 50 years of European competition. For us, they’re a mystery. As a coach, do you see them as mysterious opponents or have you already studied them well? (terrikon.com)
– To be honest, I think they have very good organisation. In their national league matches, whether they win or lose, they always dominate the pitch. They play with three defenders. Maybe some people prefer that formation more. They have a strong team structure. They keep possession and try to play passes. They have a plan for every area of the field. But I believe we analysed them very thoroughly. It’s very easy to get video of any team’s games today. And I’m convinced that after our analysis, this team are no longer a mystery to us. They are well organised, and tomorrow we will really be playing against a strong team. This will be a much tougher match than many expect. And I believe we are truly ready for this game. We want to build a family and organisation. And every day will be a new final for us. Because when the country, players and their families are in such conditions, we must work to make them happy every day. We don’t even see this as two games, for us, it’s just one match. And I’m confident that tomorrow we will be in our best form.
– What is your favourite Ukrainian word at training session? (terrikon.com)
– So far, we haven’t spoken much Ukrainian on the pitch. We mostly use English. But let’s first get some wins, then we will see how well we speak Ukrainian and what exactly we will say. For now, we like the word “dobre” (“good”).
– Insider Fabrizio Romano says that central defender Marlon is returning to Shakhtar. How can you comment on this? (terrikon.com)
– Marlon is a very talented player. I believe he is one of those who can set an example for all Brazilian players. He likes to work with the ball, has good defensive qualities and I really like him. We are glad to have him in our organisation and I’m confident he will be useful. But, of course, Darijo knows better whether he will stay here permanently or not.
– Is the starting line-up from the friendly against Slovácko the same as for tomorrow’s match? (terrikon.com)
– No, it’s not the potential squad for tomorrow’s game yet. I look at this the same way I did as a player. We don’t have just 11 players, but 24 – and we need all of them because six substitutions are allowed per game. You might know the starting eleven, but as a coach, you never know which line-up will finish the match.
– Shakhtar hasn’t made any transfers this summer so far. Is that enough to get past Ilves and through the entire European qualifiers? (ua.tribuna.com)
– I trust my players and their potential. I always say that. We have 24 good players we trust right now. If we need transfers, we will talk about it. But I also believe that transfers made in such a short time won’t benefit the team. I think that with the players we trust now, we can reach the league phase of the Europa League. And if we need anything, like a transfer, we will discuss it with Darijo.
– As a player, you must have been hard to surprise with European matches. What does coach Arda Turan feel ahead of his double debut? (terrikon.com)
– Of course, I’m excited. Truly excited. But, in my opinion, I have the knowledge and experience to build a team and win. And I trust that I can pass this on to my players and my coaching staff. I can say that I’m excited. But considering my experience, I don’t think I’ll face any problems.
– In one of your first interviews as the Pitmen’s head coach, you said that a club like Shakhtar shouldn’t start the season so early. Please explain, in your opinion, what’s the problem with such an early start: is it that it’s difficult to properly manage energy throughout the season or is it that such an early start is bad for the club’s image? (ua-football.com)
– What I meant is that the big European clubs enter the European competitions at the league phase or, at least, the play-off round. And since Shakhtar is a major club in Europe, we should be starting at those stages. That’s what I meant. So, can such an early start be a disadvantage? We want to build a system and organisation. And when you want to do that, you need automatisms and certain mechanisms. To create those, you need a lot of repetitions. Maybe we need to repeat certain things hundreds of times, working on them every day. We have a system. It’s based on passing and reaction. And we need a lot of repetitions to hone it. As for the early start and its impact on the team: if it causes any physical difficulties, that’s no longer my concern but that of the fitness department. We will use the latest scientific achievements. Of course, it’s not easy. But when our country is in such a situation, I don’t think we have the right to complain or look for excuses.
– Recently, Darijo Srna told Spanish media that Arda Turan is like Diego Simeone in defence and Luis Enrique in attack. In this context, considering that Simeone is known for favouring a three-centre-back formation at Atlético Madrid, the question is: do you plan to use a similar three-centre-back system at Shakhtar and do you share the view that playing with three centre-backs is a more defence-oriented style? (sport.ua)
– I don’t believe in numbers in football. I believe more in principles and details. Regarding these coaches, I simply take them as examples, but I don’t copy them. There is a big difference between copying and following an example. About Simeone – I take inspiration from his principles and details, but every game requires separate analysis and its own vision. I have the experience to implement these principles and details. But in life, I have always believed in beautiful football and scoring more goals. If I want better defence, it’s to have a better attack. There are also other coaches I look up to: Hiddink, Rijkaard, Fatih Terim. But again, we don’t copy them; we just learn from their principles and details. As for playing with three centre-backs, we are not considering that idea at the moment. But if the need arises, why not?
– Shakhtar haven’t played against Finnish teams in their 50 years of European competition. For us, they’re a mystery. As a coach, do you see them as mysterious opponents or have you already studied them well? (terrikon.com)
– To be honest, I think they have very good organisation. In their national league matches, whether they win or lose, they always dominate the pitch. They play with three defenders. Maybe some people prefer that formation more. They have a strong team structure. They keep possession and try to play passes. They have a plan for every area of the field. But I believe we analysed them very thoroughly. It’s very easy to get video of any team’s games today. And I’m convinced that after our analysis, this team are no longer a mystery to us. They are well organised, and tomorrow we will really be playing against a strong team. This will be a much tougher match than many expect. And I believe we are truly ready for this game. We want to build a family and organisation. And every day will be a new final for us. Because when the country, players and their families are in such conditions, we must work to make them happy every day. We don’t even see this as two games, for us, it’s just one match. And I’m confident that tomorrow we will be in our best form.
– What is your favourite Ukrainian word at training session? (terrikon.com)
– So far, we haven’t spoken much Ukrainian on the pitch. We mostly use English. But let’s first get some wins, then we will see how well we speak Ukrainian and what exactly we will say. For now, we like the word “dobre” (“good”).
– Insider Fabrizio Romano says that central defender Marlon is returning to Shakhtar. How can you comment on this? (terrikon.com)
– Marlon is a very talented player. I believe he is one of those who can set an example for all Brazilian players. He likes to work with the ball, has good defensive qualities and I really like him. We are glad to have him in our organisation and I’m confident he will be useful. But, of course, Darijo knows better whether he will stay here permanently or not.
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