I want to dedicate this match to all the people in Ukraine
Thursday, April 16, 2026
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Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan after the return leg against AZ Alkmaar
– First of all, I would like to thank AZ Alkmaar for the fight and wish them success in the Dutch Cup final next Sunday. They have great potential, and this was a truly valuable experience for us. I have great respect for them. As for the match, it was emotional for us because it was very difficult to play against a club like AZ Alkmaar. From a tactical point of view, my team performed very well. It is not easy to play against AZ Alkmaar, who press very effectively. I would like to dedicate this match to all the people in Ukraine who wake up every morning with hope, at least the hope that tomorrow their children will wake up without explosions.
– Your opponents will be Fiorentina or Crystal Palace. How do you feel about reaching the semi-finals with Shakhtar? And what can you say about your potential rivals?
– Crystal Palace are an English Premier League side. Fiorentina are a Serie A side. I was at Crystal Palace’s stadium in December, and it felt like a dream to me at that time. Many people who know me, my friends, laughed at me. But tonight I can joke back. Both teams are very hard to play against, really difficult, but when you are already in the semi-finals, there is no opportunity to choose your opponents. When I was a player at Atlético Madrid: we had Juventus in the group stage, Milan in the round of 16, Barcelona in the quarter-finals, Chelsea in the semi-finals and Real Madrid in the final. I went through that. It was very difficult for us. Both teams will be very tough opponents for us, I understand that.
– Your opponents will be Fiorentina or Crystal Palace. How do you feel about reaching the semi-finals with Shakhtar? And what can you say about your potential rivals?
– Crystal Palace are an English Premier League side. Fiorentina are a Serie A side. I was at Crystal Palace’s stadium in December, and it felt like a dream to me at that time. Many people who know me, my friends, laughed at me. But tonight I can joke back. Both teams are very hard to play against, really difficult, but when you are already in the semi-finals, there is no opportunity to choose your opponents. When I was a player at Atlético Madrid: we had Juventus in the group stage, Milan in the round of 16, Barcelona in the quarter-finals, Chelsea in the semi-finals and Real Madrid in the final. I went through that. It was very difficult for us. Both teams will be very tough opponents for us, I understand that.