I know what outstanding professionals Shakhtar have
Monday, July 6, 2026
|
Ukraine head coach Andrea Maldera visited Shakhtar's training camp in Slovenia and shared his impressions of what he saw
– We're delighted to have you here with us. Why did you decide to visit Shakhtar's training camp?
– It's a great pleasure for me to be here as well. I'm pleased to see the coach, Darijo and the footballers. It's very important for me to watch the players and speak with the coach. So I'm grateful to Shakhtar for the opportunity and for their hospitality.
– What are your first impressions of our team? The atmosphere and the training sessions?
– It's top-class. I know what outstanding professionals Shakhtar have, it's the level of a big team, a big club. You will play in the Champions League in the new season, which is a major challenge and a huge source of motivation for everyone. I've watched the team's training sessions and I can say that the players look really good at this stage. The head coach and his assistants are simply incredible, their energy is something else. This team have enormous potential. It's impressive, but it doesn't come as a surprise to me.
– We saw that you spent quite a while talking to Arda Turan before training. Can you tell us what you discussed?
– We talked about the players, the start of the season and the challenges Ukrainian clubs are currently facing with travel and preparing for matches. We touched on many different topics. But the main thing for me is that many of my ideas are in line with Arda Turan's view of football. The upcoming season will be very important for Shakhtar in Europe, just as the last one was. It was an incredible campaign for the team and gave the players a great deal of invaluable experience.
– What would you like to wish our team for the new season?
– A lot of things, a lot. Shakhtar are not just a team, but also a very important club for all of us, for Ukraine, so I wish everyone nothing but the very best!
– It's a great pleasure for me to be here as well. I'm pleased to see the coach, Darijo and the footballers. It's very important for me to watch the players and speak with the coach. So I'm grateful to Shakhtar for the opportunity and for their hospitality.
– What are your first impressions of our team? The atmosphere and the training sessions?
– It's top-class. I know what outstanding professionals Shakhtar have, it's the level of a big team, a big club. You will play in the Champions League in the new season, which is a major challenge and a huge source of motivation for everyone. I've watched the team's training sessions and I can say that the players look really good at this stage. The head coach and his assistants are simply incredible, their energy is something else. This team have enormous potential. It's impressive, but it doesn't come as a surprise to me.
– We saw that you spent quite a while talking to Arda Turan before training. Can you tell us what you discussed?
– We talked about the players, the start of the season and the challenges Ukrainian clubs are currently facing with travel and preparing for matches. We touched on many different topics. But the main thing for me is that many of my ideas are in line with Arda Turan's view of football. The upcoming season will be very important for Shakhtar in Europe, just as the last one was. It was an incredible campaign for the team and gave the players a great deal of invaluable experience.
– What would you like to wish our team for the new season?
– A lot of things, a lot. Shakhtar are not just a team, but also a very important club for all of us, for Ukraine, so I wish everyone nothing but the very best!