We were more aggressive in the second half
Friday, April 10, 2026
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan after the UEFA Conference League match against AZ Alkmaar (3-0)
– It was not an easy match, I will say that honestly. I do not think the 90 minutes reflect the score because we could not play the way we wanted against a 5-4-1 formation in the first half . We needed the centre-backs to step forward with the ball. Our eights were too far away and were trapped between the lines. We could not get the one-on-one situations we were aiming for. AZ Alkmaar players had more possession, and their back three often changed the structure of the game, which caused us problems. We were more aggressive in the second half, we wanted to feel what a quarter-final means. But it is not easy for us because we do not feel that we are playing at our home stadium, so it is difficult emotionally. In the second half, we were better prepared for defending after losing the ball, we were more aggressive in looking for solutions, and when we scored the first goal, we were able to find some transitions. We must remain humble. Arrogance will destroy us as we know how difficult the atmosphere will be there. I have great respect for the opponents and all their players. I cannot say that I’m 100% satisfied, but today we feel good. A very difficult match lies ahead of us, but I can say that we are in a good position at the moment.
– How can you assess the game overall? What was the turning point?
– You have to understand that, playing against AZ Alkmaar in a quarter-final, we cannot perform at a high level for all 90 minutes. We could have closed the central areas better, we could have formed triangles better. Bondar and Matviienko were playing in two-on-one situations. Their aggression was important to win the ball back and attack again. In fact, we and AZ Alkmaar are similar teams. We do not like to defend a lot; we prefer to control the ball. If we are forced to defend continuously, we will make mistakes. We knew that. And when they could not win the ball, they also made mistakes and gave us good opportunities. That is the reality of football. We must accept it as it is. That is my opinion. If you play against AZ Alkmaar, you cannot perform at a high level for the entire match. And you cannot fully control the game throughout. It is important to act correctly in such moments – today we managed to do that.
– Which coaches do you take as examples in your work and who inspires you? And is it difficult to work with young players?
– As I have already said, I have learned a lot from different coaches, in particular from Hiddink. His behaviour at half-time in the match against Belgium with our Türkiye national team was an important lesson for me. I also learned some things from Simeone. I do not have Iniesta, Xavi, Toni Kroos or Luka Modrić, my players are young. For Brazilian footballers in particular, it is very important to be able to play in both phases – in attack and in defence. Even a very talented player may only touch the ball for two minutes, and for the rest of the time he has to run. I have to convince them of the importance of defending and they must believe in the defensive work. Young players cannot perform at a high level in every match, but quality defensive actions can keep them in the game, which is why I work with them so intensively. We follow our tactical principles with the ball. They know what to do. But we need energy in defence.
– Is everything okay with Isaque?
– Isaque is in hospital now, but he is in a good condition. He is a very interesting young man: he is 19, but he has the character of a 30-year-old footballer. He wants to play. The doctor said it was risky. The player did not want to leave the pitch. We had some emotional moments, but the footballers’ health is the most important thing for me. I hope he will return as soon as possible because I do not have Marlon Gomes or Kryskiv available. Artem Bondarenko played almost 90 minutes, and we still have to travel 20–25 hours to play against LNZ. It is not an excuse, but I need healthy players, and we are in a very difficult situation. Tonight we will work on the analysis while travelling. We will decide whether we will train tomorrow morning. We will see how tired our players are.
– How do you deal with situations where, for example, Ocheretko in midfield tries to take a risky dribble past an opponent, or when Brazilian players attempt a rainbow flick?
– First of all, I always tell my players that they are people first and only then footballers. And we have very good relationships, but I have to increase their performance at the right moments. That is my job. If you look at my career and life, I took a lot of risks, and I will not tell them to repeat that. They should not repeat my mistakes on or off the pitch. They must take risks in the right way. If you do a nutmeg in midfield and it works – there is no problem. But if it does not work, I will ask questions. If you do not try it in the third zone, I will be unhappy. They can make mistakes there – I do not limit their talent. They must follow the tactics and be loyal to them in the first and second zones. In the third zone, as long as they maintain positioning, they can do whatever they want. They are free. But if you lose the ball in midfield in that way, we are not ready to defend in transition. Regarding Ocheretko, he has a great future. He can run more than 12 kilometres per match. He has top-level physical qualities. When he develops further, I believe he can play for the best teams in the world.
– How can you assess the game overall? What was the turning point?
– You have to understand that, playing against AZ Alkmaar in a quarter-final, we cannot perform at a high level for all 90 minutes. We could have closed the central areas better, we could have formed triangles better. Bondar and Matviienko were playing in two-on-one situations. Their aggression was important to win the ball back and attack again. In fact, we and AZ Alkmaar are similar teams. We do not like to defend a lot; we prefer to control the ball. If we are forced to defend continuously, we will make mistakes. We knew that. And when they could not win the ball, they also made mistakes and gave us good opportunities. That is the reality of football. We must accept it as it is. That is my opinion. If you play against AZ Alkmaar, you cannot perform at a high level for the entire match. And you cannot fully control the game throughout. It is important to act correctly in such moments – today we managed to do that.
– Which coaches do you take as examples in your work and who inspires you? And is it difficult to work with young players?
– As I have already said, I have learned a lot from different coaches, in particular from Hiddink. His behaviour at half-time in the match against Belgium with our Türkiye national team was an important lesson for me. I also learned some things from Simeone. I do not have Iniesta, Xavi, Toni Kroos or Luka Modrić, my players are young. For Brazilian footballers in particular, it is very important to be able to play in both phases – in attack and in defence. Even a very talented player may only touch the ball for two minutes, and for the rest of the time he has to run. I have to convince them of the importance of defending and they must believe in the defensive work. Young players cannot perform at a high level in every match, but quality defensive actions can keep them in the game, which is why I work with them so intensively. We follow our tactical principles with the ball. They know what to do. But we need energy in defence.
– Is everything okay with Isaque?
– Isaque is in hospital now, but he is in a good condition. He is a very interesting young man: he is 19, but he has the character of a 30-year-old footballer. He wants to play. The doctor said it was risky. The player did not want to leave the pitch. We had some emotional moments, but the footballers’ health is the most important thing for me. I hope he will return as soon as possible because I do not have Marlon Gomes or Kryskiv available. Artem Bondarenko played almost 90 minutes, and we still have to travel 20–25 hours to play against LNZ. It is not an excuse, but I need healthy players, and we are in a very difficult situation. Tonight we will work on the analysis while travelling. We will decide whether we will train tomorrow morning. We will see how tired our players are.
– How do you deal with situations where, for example, Ocheretko in midfield tries to take a risky dribble past an opponent, or when Brazilian players attempt a rainbow flick?
– First of all, I always tell my players that they are people first and only then footballers. And we have very good relationships, but I have to increase their performance at the right moments. That is my job. If you look at my career and life, I took a lot of risks, and I will not tell them to repeat that. They should not repeat my mistakes on or off the pitch. They must take risks in the right way. If you do a nutmeg in midfield and it works – there is no problem. But if it does not work, I will ask questions. If you do not try it in the third zone, I will be unhappy. They can make mistakes there – I do not limit their talent. They must follow the tactics and be loyal to them in the first and second zones. In the third zone, as long as they maintain positioning, they can do whatever they want. They are free. But if you lose the ball in midfield in that way, we are not ready to defend in transition. Regarding Ocheretko, he has a great future. He can run more than 12 kilometres per match. He has top-level physical qualities. When he develops further, I believe he can play for the best teams in the world.