The players are smart in terms of tactics, we work more physically
Sunday, June 22, 2025
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Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan talked about meeting the team, first training sessions and upcoming Europa League matches
– Mister, tell us about your first meeting with the team and share your impressions.
– As I said on the first day, we know that we have to win every match. Of course, we will learn to live under this pressure. But for us it was a good start. Our energy is very positive. The opponent is physically ready, so we are catching up quickly. In 20 days we will be ready for the first game.
– What are your main requirements during the training process?
– We want the players to focus on training sessions. There is a great football culture here, we will only introduce small changes. We did not come to start from scratch and we respect Shakhtar’s playing culture, the talents of the players. This is the best and shortest way, in my opinion, the shortest way to success.
– Can you give us some details about the schedule here at training camp? And when will you have three sessions a day?
– If they focus that much on three sessions, they will miss everything else. We will probably have the first three training sessions on Wednesday. There is nothing scary about that, it is a chance for the players to feel the game during the day, because this system has brought me career success. We have to be 100 percent physically ready, we have to be in the best physical shape, because there is no excuse for that. You can play badly, but not run badly. We have to work.
– What do you think about the possible upcoming game against Beşiktaş?
– First of all, I have a lot of respect for Beşiktaş, which has a great history. It is one of the main teams in Türkiye. But we cannot think about Beşiktaş, we only have the first round – against a team from Finland. We have to do our best because they are ready. This is the wrong path for us. Football requires excessive seriousness. My life is full of such bitter experiences. Therefore, the match requires special attention, which is why I forbid everyone, including you, to think about Beşiktaş.
– But first, Shakhtar will face Finnish Ilves. What can you say about this opponent?
– They have a strong physical structure. We know their tactics and we will be ready, because they have been playing in the league for a long time. We will play the second match on synthetic turf, so we will show class from the first minute. The main goal is to be in the best shape. Tactically, we trust the intelligence of the players – this will be our advantage. We are preparing, although without excessive activity. It is important to be at their level physically. The players are smart in terms of tactics, we work more physically.
– As I said on the first day, we know that we have to win every match. Of course, we will learn to live under this pressure. But for us it was a good start. Our energy is very positive. The opponent is physically ready, so we are catching up quickly. In 20 days we will be ready for the first game.
– What are your main requirements during the training process?
– We want the players to focus on training sessions. There is a great football culture here, we will only introduce small changes. We did not come to start from scratch and we respect Shakhtar’s playing culture, the talents of the players. This is the best and shortest way, in my opinion, the shortest way to success.
– Can you give us some details about the schedule here at training camp? And when will you have three sessions a day?
– If they focus that much on three sessions, they will miss everything else. We will probably have the first three training sessions on Wednesday. There is nothing scary about that, it is a chance for the players to feel the game during the day, because this system has brought me career success. We have to be 100 percent physically ready, we have to be in the best physical shape, because there is no excuse for that. You can play badly, but not run badly. We have to work.
– What do you think about the possible upcoming game against Beşiktaş?
– First of all, I have a lot of respect for Beşiktaş, which has a great history. It is one of the main teams in Türkiye. But we cannot think about Beşiktaş, we only have the first round – against a team from Finland. We have to do our best because they are ready. This is the wrong path for us. Football requires excessive seriousness. My life is full of such bitter experiences. Therefore, the match requires special attention, which is why I forbid everyone, including you, to think about Beşiktaş.
– But first, Shakhtar will face Finnish Ilves. What can you say about this opponent?
– They have a strong physical structure. We know their tactics and we will be ready, because they have been playing in the league for a long time. We will play the second match on synthetic turf, so we will show class from the first minute. The main goal is to be in the best shape. Tactically, we trust the intelligence of the players – this will be our advantage. We are preparing, although without excessive activity. It is important to be at their level physically. The players are smart in terms of tactics, we work more physically.