It will be a tough match, but we are ready
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan ahead of the return leg against AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Conference League
– A very important match awaits us tomorrow. Firstly, I have great respect for Dutch football culture, the way they play, and for AZ as well. We will do everything to have a successful game. I think it will be a tough match, but we are mentally ready for it.
– In the second match against Lech, you conceded twice in the first half. What are you planning to do tomorrow to avoid a similar situation?
– Of course, you never know whether this will happen again. We hope it will not. However, we must be ready for everything. We do not know what will happen over 90 minutes. It is difficult, but you always need to know how to deal with a situation if something like this occurs.
– Are you exhausted after the match against LNZ?
– Do you want a politically correct answer or an honest one? Of course, we are tired, but tomorrow we will not be. We will rest. And if our aim is to reach the Conference League semi-finals, then we must do everything for it. So being tired should not be an excuse.
– Last week, the club president said that the priority is the league title. What is your priority ahead of tomorrow’s match?
– Club presidents have their own wishes, but coaches want to win everything. Of course, if we win a European trophy, the president will be happy. We really want to go to Leipzig – we truly aspire to it.
– I know coaches do not like talking about the future and that every next match is the most important for you, but Shakhtar could play in the Champions League next season without qualification, but to do so you need to win two more matches in the Conference League. Do you know about this and are you ready to achieve it?
– We know that we need 4.5 points for this. I have known this from the very beginning; I have already reviewed all the details. Of course, we want to return to the Champions League and we need to work towards that. If we want it, we have to win. It would be a great achievement both for us and for the country.
– In the second match against Lech, you conceded twice in the first half. What are you planning to do tomorrow to avoid a similar situation?
– Of course, you never know whether this will happen again. We hope it will not. However, we must be ready for everything. We do not know what will happen over 90 minutes. It is difficult, but you always need to know how to deal with a situation if something like this occurs.
– Are you exhausted after the match against LNZ?
– Do you want a politically correct answer or an honest one? Of course, we are tired, but tomorrow we will not be. We will rest. And if our aim is to reach the Conference League semi-finals, then we must do everything for it. So being tired should not be an excuse.
– Last week, the club president said that the priority is the league title. What is your priority ahead of tomorrow’s match?
– Club presidents have their own wishes, but coaches want to win everything. Of course, if we win a European trophy, the president will be happy. We really want to go to Leipzig – we truly aspire to it.
– I know coaches do not like talking about the future and that every next match is the most important for you, but Shakhtar could play in the Champions League next season without qualification, but to do so you need to win two more matches in the Conference League. Do you know about this and are you ready to achieve it?
– We know that we need 4.5 points for this. I have known this from the very beginning; I have already reviewed all the details. Of course, we want to return to the Champions League and we need to work towards that. If we want it, we have to win. It would be a great achievement both for us and for the country.