I’m proud of my players and our European journey
Friday, May 8, 2026
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Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan’s press conference following the UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg against Crystal Palace
– First of all, congratulations to Crystal Palace and their coach. They did a wonderful job and achieved what they wanted. If a team beat you and reach a European final, it probably means they made more correct decisions and performed better, so congratulations to our opponents. As for us, we are very sad. I cannot accept the elimination. I do not want to accept it at the semi-final stage. Because today, in my opinion, we played at a level good enough to go through this round, and we were closer to doing so than it may seem. But this is part of life, part of this game, sometimes it happens this way. We will learn and take valuable lessons from this round. And we will never step back. I’m proud of my players and our European journey, and I believe we gave everything to give people hope this season and throughout these 20 European matches. That is why I’m proud of the players, and we will keep moving forward.
– Could you pick out a favourite moment from this season? Maybe it was the win over Beşiktaş right at the beginning or Isaque’s incredible goal against AZ Alkmaar and the 3-–0 victory? Perhaps one specific moment or match that you could call your favourite.
– My favourite moment is right now, with us being in the semi-finals. The best and happiest moment for me is always the highest level I reach, and right now this is it. Of course, I’m very disappointed and I will take both the saddest and the happiest lessons from this season. That is exactly what I will try to do. And the fact that I receive such appreciation from you, that I can answer your question and give people hope, is what makes this moment the best for me this season.
– You have a very young team. Was it difficult for such young footballers to compete against the experienced opposition of Crystal Palace?
– In terms of level and style, both sides played the way they wanted to, which is why we must respect both teams. As for the players, I have already said: we are on a similar level to them in many positions, and I believe we are even stronger in terms of quality in some. It will be the same in the future. If we speak about the coaches, in my opinion, they have a more experienced and stronger coach.
– What did you say to the players at half-time? And second question: are the rumours about interest from Galatasaray true?
– Regarding what I told my players at half-time: I told them they were playing correctly and should continue in the same way, only asking them to pay more attention to certain details. For example, Pino was pressing on the left, and I told the midfielders to form triangles and make themselves available for the pass. I also asked them not to play too early through the central zone of the pitch. I simply asked them to focus on these details because they were doing very well and giving everything in this match in terms of tactics. They only needed to improve certain moments. As for the second question, it is something I do not feel entirely comfortable discussing as I’m a product of Galatasaray and they currently have an excellent coach – a coach who has made history. My loved ones and I always support him, and there has never been anything like that in our thoughts. I believe he is the best option for Galatasaray at the moment. From my side, Shakhtar gave me this opportunity after my work at Eyüpspor. I’m not someone who thinks about money or makes decisions based on it. Never in my life. Right now, I give myself to Shakhtar with all my heart and mind. I show respect for the Shakhtar jersey, as well as for Rinat Akhmetov, Serhii Palkin and Darijo Srna, who gave me the chance to coach this team. In professional life, you never know how things will develop. But we move forward together, always making decisions jointly, and I respect the way we work. I love this club and have big dreams for its future. And if I was given this chance, I will never turn my back.
– Could you pick out a favourite moment from this season? Maybe it was the win over Beşiktaş right at the beginning or Isaque’s incredible goal against AZ Alkmaar and the 3-–0 victory? Perhaps one specific moment or match that you could call your favourite.
– My favourite moment is right now, with us being in the semi-finals. The best and happiest moment for me is always the highest level I reach, and right now this is it. Of course, I’m very disappointed and I will take both the saddest and the happiest lessons from this season. That is exactly what I will try to do. And the fact that I receive such appreciation from you, that I can answer your question and give people hope, is what makes this moment the best for me this season.
– You have a very young team. Was it difficult for such young footballers to compete against the experienced opposition of Crystal Palace?
– In terms of level and style, both sides played the way they wanted to, which is why we must respect both teams. As for the players, I have already said: we are on a similar level to them in many positions, and I believe we are even stronger in terms of quality in some. It will be the same in the future. If we speak about the coaches, in my opinion, they have a more experienced and stronger coach.
– What did you say to the players at half-time? And second question: are the rumours about interest from Galatasaray true?
– Regarding what I told my players at half-time: I told them they were playing correctly and should continue in the same way, only asking them to pay more attention to certain details. For example, Pino was pressing on the left, and I told the midfielders to form triangles and make themselves available for the pass. I also asked them not to play too early through the central zone of the pitch. I simply asked them to focus on these details because they were doing very well and giving everything in this match in terms of tactics. They only needed to improve certain moments. As for the second question, it is something I do not feel entirely comfortable discussing as I’m a product of Galatasaray and they currently have an excellent coach – a coach who has made history. My loved ones and I always support him, and there has never been anything like that in our thoughts. I believe he is the best option for Galatasaray at the moment. From my side, Shakhtar gave me this opportunity after my work at Eyüpspor. I’m not someone who thinks about money or makes decisions based on it. Never in my life. Right now, I give myself to Shakhtar with all my heart and mind. I show respect for the Shakhtar jersey, as well as for Rinat Akhmetov, Serhii Palkin and Darijo Srna, who gave me the chance to coach this team. In professional life, you never know how things will develop. But we move forward together, always making decisions jointly, and I respect the way we work. I love this club and have big dreams for its future. And if I was given this chance, I will never turn my back.