We’ll do everything we can to win
Monday, November 2, 2026
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Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan’s press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Sporting CP
– We’re very happy to be playing here tomorrow. The way we’re playing and the form we’re in are things we need to keep building on. We’ll do everything we can to win tomorrow, but if we don’t manage to win, it’s important not to give in. We know how strong Sporting CP are and what they have achieved. We have great respect for the club and will certainly give more than 100 per cent. We have to do that in every moment of the game. We put in a good performance in our previous Champions League match against Inter and are now fully prepared for the game against Sporting CP.
– Luis Suárez has scored three goals in three Champions League matches. He has also found the net eight times in 10 league appearances in Portugal and is in excellent form. How do you plan to deal with him?
– Suárez is a great player. Of course, we know that and respect him. To stop him, we’ll try to have more possession and impose our own game. We’re in the Champions League to face the best teams and the best players. We have a lot of respect for him but if we focus only on Suárez, other footballers will have the chance to score. Sporting CP are a very good team overall.
– Following the announcement of Sporting CP’s head coach being sacked, it was confirmed that Tiago Fernandes would take charge of the team and lead them into the Champions League match. He has worked with the team before and earned a point against Arsenal. How will this change affect the squad, and what can we expect from Sporting CP?
– First of all, a situation like this has both positive and negative aspects. We have great respect for Tiago Fernandes and his coaching staff. I’d like to pay tribute to them as it is a very difficult job. You know Sporting CP’s structure and general management principles. The club has a 120-year history, 23 domestic titles, a record of competing in Europe and a Cup Winners’ Cup triumph. They have enough quality and experience to win matches. Of course, changes like this have both positive and negative sides, but our approach remains unchanged: we are preparing to face strong opponents.
– Both teams prefer to control the game and dominate possession. What can you say about the tactical battle with Sporting CP?
– As we’ve already mentioned, Sporting CP like to have possession but are also very good in transition. Their wingers make forward runs to join counter-attacks and are very effective in this aspect of the game. That is how teams perform at the highest level in the Champions League. If we want to compete at that level too, we have to pay attention to every detail. As I’ve already said, we’re ready for tomorrow’s match and won’t abandon our own style of play. We’ll look to control possession and keep the ball for as long as possible.
– How important is it for you to coach footballers who are called up to the Brazil national team?
– Sometimes situations like this can create certain difficulties. For example, my players have been called up to the Brazil national team, which means they face a very long flight. That does create some challenges. We are one family because we live and train together. I’m a young coach, and this is part of our club’s strategy. Of course, the players have their own career goals and want to win titles. However, their dreams and plans for the future as individuals are just as important as their career ambitions. I say this because we train and live together. We are the best of friends and can share our secrets with one another. I’m like an older brother to them. Of course, playing for the national team is every player’s dream. And you know that the best footballers get this opportunity and approach every match as if it were their last. On behalf of the players and myself, I can say that we are very happy about it.
– Luis Suárez has scored three goals in three Champions League matches. He has also found the net eight times in 10 league appearances in Portugal and is in excellent form. How do you plan to deal with him?
– Suárez is a great player. Of course, we know that and respect him. To stop him, we’ll try to have more possession and impose our own game. We’re in the Champions League to face the best teams and the best players. We have a lot of respect for him but if we focus only on Suárez, other footballers will have the chance to score. Sporting CP are a very good team overall.
– Following the announcement of Sporting CP’s head coach being sacked, it was confirmed that Tiago Fernandes would take charge of the team and lead them into the Champions League match. He has worked with the team before and earned a point against Arsenal. How will this change affect the squad, and what can we expect from Sporting CP?
– First of all, a situation like this has both positive and negative aspects. We have great respect for Tiago Fernandes and his coaching staff. I’d like to pay tribute to them as it is a very difficult job. You know Sporting CP’s structure and general management principles. The club has a 120-year history, 23 domestic titles, a record of competing in Europe and a Cup Winners’ Cup triumph. They have enough quality and experience to win matches. Of course, changes like this have both positive and negative sides, but our approach remains unchanged: we are preparing to face strong opponents.
– Both teams prefer to control the game and dominate possession. What can you say about the tactical battle with Sporting CP?
– As we’ve already mentioned, Sporting CP like to have possession but are also very good in transition. Their wingers make forward runs to join counter-attacks and are very effective in this aspect of the game. That is how teams perform at the highest level in the Champions League. If we want to compete at that level too, we have to pay attention to every detail. As I’ve already said, we’re ready for tomorrow’s match and won’t abandon our own style of play. We’ll look to control possession and keep the ball for as long as possible.
– How important is it for you to coach footballers who are called up to the Brazil national team?
– Sometimes situations like this can create certain difficulties. For example, my players have been called up to the Brazil national team, which means they face a very long flight. That does create some challenges. We are one family because we live and train together. I’m a young coach, and this is part of our club’s strategy. Of course, the players have their own career goals and want to win titles. However, their dreams and plans for the future as individuals are just as important as their career ambitions. I say this because we train and live together. We are the best of friends and can share our secrets with one another. I’m like an older brother to them. Of course, playing for the national team is every player’s dream. And you know that the best footballers get this opportunity and approach every match as if it were their last. On behalf of the players and myself, I can say that we are very happy about it.