This victory means a lot to us
Friday, November 28, 2025
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan following the UEFA Conference League match against Shamrock Rovers (2-1)
– As I said yesterday, it wouldn’t be easy to play here, but we started the match very well, we had prepared solutions to deal with the opponents’ defence and we managed to implement them in most cases. Then we scored an early goal. The wind and the lack of match practice for some of our players affected the quality of our passes, but after scoring, we were able to take control of the game. Later, we dominated more, but, as I said, we are playing against champions, so it was normal to occasionally give up control and face pressure. We moved correctly on the pitch, even though we conceded a goal in the second half. We also managed to score a second goal and win the match. Now we return with a victory – and this really means a lot to us because today we tried to involve all our players in the offensive line. We had four or five players aged 18, which is why this win with them is so significant. More than the scoreline, I’m pleased with the level of play we are showing right now. So I want to congratulate my players.
– Good evening, coach! just wanted to ask: you obviously want your team to play in a certain way, to circulate the ball, to attack, but how much pleasure does it give you in a game like this that your forward players do so much without the ball? (Andy Brassell, The Guardian)
– First and foremost, the most important thing is how they occupy positions when we have the ball. When we have possession and want to force the opponents back into their own half, if they come down to receive the ball, it becomes very inconvenient for us. We want them to stay in the opponents’ half. The reason is that we want to play eight against six or seven against five in our half of the pitch. The opponents were positioned in defence as three – two. That’s why our full-backs were the solution, and there was no need for our wingers to drop so deep. But sometimes players feel the need to touch the ball. So they do, but they should remain in their area because our main goal is to leave them one-on-one with the opponents in the final third. They are young; they need practice, but I believe we are on the right path. Sometimes Lucas Ferreira and Newerton did this, but I’m still pleased with them. It’s a very good question. The most important thing for them is where they receive the ball and whether they are in the right position to do so.
– You secured an excellent victory, but there’s breaking news in Ukrainian football. The situation at Dynamo Kyiv is concerning, they have sacked their coach following a Conference League defeat. I understand this doesn’t relate to your game, but Dynamo are Shakhtar’s main rivals in Ukraine. How might this affect Shakhtar? (ua.tribuna.com)
– I can only say the following regarding this news. Shovkovskyi is a coach I have envied since my arrival here. He is a champion and has raised the level of competition and motivation for us in our league. Although we have only worked for five or six months, it has been a pleasure to be his rival. I have a great deal of respect for him. If we no longer face him as opponents, I wish him success in his future career. That is all I can say on the matter because we want to focus more on our team and organisation. But Shovkovskyi is a great coach and we have immense respect for him.
– There’s news that Shakhtar is interested in LNZ winger Prosper Obah and that a contract has already been signed with him. What can you say about this? Is there any truth to it? (ua.tribuna.com)
– That’s not for me. This question should go to Darijo Srna. Ask him, alright? I can only talk about the game and tactics. It’s not my job. I respect Darijo. We have a single strategy regarding transfers. We’ll see what happens in the coming days.
– Good evening, coach! just wanted to ask: you obviously want your team to play in a certain way, to circulate the ball, to attack, but how much pleasure does it give you in a game like this that your forward players do so much without the ball? (Andy Brassell, The Guardian)
– First and foremost, the most important thing is how they occupy positions when we have the ball. When we have possession and want to force the opponents back into their own half, if they come down to receive the ball, it becomes very inconvenient for us. We want them to stay in the opponents’ half. The reason is that we want to play eight against six or seven against five in our half of the pitch. The opponents were positioned in defence as three – two. That’s why our full-backs were the solution, and there was no need for our wingers to drop so deep. But sometimes players feel the need to touch the ball. So they do, but they should remain in their area because our main goal is to leave them one-on-one with the opponents in the final third. They are young; they need practice, but I believe we are on the right path. Sometimes Lucas Ferreira and Newerton did this, but I’m still pleased with them. It’s a very good question. The most important thing for them is where they receive the ball and whether they are in the right position to do so.
– You secured an excellent victory, but there’s breaking news in Ukrainian football. The situation at Dynamo Kyiv is concerning, they have sacked their coach following a Conference League defeat. I understand this doesn’t relate to your game, but Dynamo are Shakhtar’s main rivals in Ukraine. How might this affect Shakhtar? (ua.tribuna.com)
– I can only say the following regarding this news. Shovkovskyi is a coach I have envied since my arrival here. He is a champion and has raised the level of competition and motivation for us in our league. Although we have only worked for five or six months, it has been a pleasure to be his rival. I have a great deal of respect for him. If we no longer face him as opponents, I wish him success in his future career. That is all I can say on the matter because we want to focus more on our team and organisation. But Shovkovskyi is a great coach and we have immense respect for him.
– There’s news that Shakhtar is interested in LNZ winger Prosper Obah and that a contract has already been signed with him. What can you say about this? Is there any truth to it? (ua.tribuna.com)
– That’s not for me. This question should go to Darijo Srna. Ask him, alright? I can only talk about the game and tactics. It’s not my job. I respect Darijo. We have a single strategy regarding transfers. We’ll see what happens in the coming days.