We played a great game from the first minute to the last
Friday, October 30, 2026
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Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan’s press conference following the victory over Obolon (2-0)
– Good evening, everyone! In my opinion, we played a great game from the first minute to the last. It is very difficult to find a way through a team that defend compactly and effectively in a 5-3-2 block. We tried to switch play frequently, moving the ball from one flank to the other. I would have liked us to make more use of our central midfielders, or to switch play directly from one wing-back to the other, or from a centre-back to the wingers. However, overall, I’m satisfied with how the game went. I would also like us to be even more aware of the value of all the opportunities we create in the final third when we get into the opposition’s penalty area. At the same time, I fully appreciate the demanding period we are going through at the moment and the logistical and other difficulties we have to deal with. Therefore, I can only thank my players for their commitment, the result they achieved and the positive emotions they have given us. Given this demanding and intense period, I would like to congratulate them on a well-deserved victory.
– Today’s game was somewhat similar to the match against Zorya, with the score still 0-0 until the 70th minute. However, unlike in the previous meeting, you made your substitutions earlier this time, and they paid off, producing the desired result. Do you consider this your main achievement as a coach?
– No, absolutely not. In my opinion, my players did an excellent job of carrying out our game plan today. At the same time, I can also recall six or seven clear goalscoring opportunities we had against Zorya Luhansk, but unfortunately we failed to convert them It is very important that the final score on the scoreboard – and I keep emphasising this – does not deceive us. So, first and foremost, what matters to me is that we stick to our style of play. I’m convinced that positive results will follow in the long term. We have a lot of young players in the squad, so the most important thing we can do is develop them and give them the right tactical tools that they can consistently put into practice.
– It has been eight years since a Shakhtar Brazilian was last called up to the Brazil national team. Your emotions yesterday were shared on social media, so what does this mean to you as a coach and to the lads? And who do you think could be next to receive a call-up?
– As for the second part of your question, I was also very upset when Alaa Ghram failed to make the final squad for the World Cup. I always emphasise that they are first and foremost my brothers, and I try to share all the important moments in their lives, both positive and negative. When some of my players had their first children, when Isaque proposed to his girlfriend, when Mendoza scored his first Champions League goal, I always tried to be there for them and share those emotions. First and foremost, not as their head coach, but as an older brother. As for the part of your question concerning a potential call-up to the Brazil national team, I’m convinced that every Brazilian in our squad has a chance and is fully capable of earning one. At the moment, Kaua Elias, Pedro Henrique and Vinicius Tobias are the closest to receiving a call-up. At the same time, we have a whole generation of young players, such as Bruninho and Ryan, who also deserve a call-up to the national team. They have already progressed through various youth levels, so I have no doubts whatsoever about their potential. It is simply a matter of time for me.
– Mr Turan, why are your centre-forwards scoring so few goals, and why did it take the team so long to find the net today?
– The most important thing to understand is that we are playing the right way, in accordance with our football philosophy. If you are asking about the specific reason why our centre-forwards are scoring so few goals, it is directly related to the fact that I encourage them to devote more of their efforts to defensive work when we try to press the opposition as they build up from the back. I’m the one who gives them these instructions. However, this does not diminish their overall influence on the game or their importance within our team structure. We continue to play in accordance with our football philosophy. Perhaps, with this tactical setup, our forwards will score fewer goals than people have come to expect in modern football, but the most important thing is that we play the right way, rather than simply winning matches without playing the way we should.
– A question about Alisson. You brought him on as a substitute today, and he went on to score twice. What exactly did you want to see from him when he came on? And how important is it for him to get playing time before joining up with the Brazil national team?
– Alisson Santana is becoming a better player with every passing day and every game, and we are very happy to have him in our squad. His impact on the game is undoubtedly enormous, and I’m not revealing any secrets by saying that. He is very much part of my plans, and I’m convinced that the momentum he has built up in Shakhtar’s recent matches ahead of his international fixtures can give him even more confidence, although I think he has plenty of that already.
– Fans judge a coach by results, but a significant part of your work takes place away from the football pitch. What would you consider your greatest achievement as a coach that cannot be seen on the scoreboard?
– For me, the greatest achievement that cannot be measured by the final score on the scoreboard is the opportunity to leave behind something great and make a lasting mark on history. In other words, to work with several different players and be a close companion to them and something of a brother. I don’t believe in the concept of rotation, which people talk about so much. I believe in the concept of one family. That means having 24 players who respect one another equally, are ready to fight for one another and are united as a single group. That is the kind of football legacy I would like to leave behind, and it is far more important than the score on the scoreboard for me.
– Today’s game was somewhat similar to the match against Zorya, with the score still 0-0 until the 70th minute. However, unlike in the previous meeting, you made your substitutions earlier this time, and they paid off, producing the desired result. Do you consider this your main achievement as a coach?
– No, absolutely not. In my opinion, my players did an excellent job of carrying out our game plan today. At the same time, I can also recall six or seven clear goalscoring opportunities we had against Zorya Luhansk, but unfortunately we failed to convert them It is very important that the final score on the scoreboard – and I keep emphasising this – does not deceive us. So, first and foremost, what matters to me is that we stick to our style of play. I’m convinced that positive results will follow in the long term. We have a lot of young players in the squad, so the most important thing we can do is develop them and give them the right tactical tools that they can consistently put into practice.
– It has been eight years since a Shakhtar Brazilian was last called up to the Brazil national team. Your emotions yesterday were shared on social media, so what does this mean to you as a coach and to the lads? And who do you think could be next to receive a call-up?
– As for the second part of your question, I was also very upset when Alaa Ghram failed to make the final squad for the World Cup. I always emphasise that they are first and foremost my brothers, and I try to share all the important moments in their lives, both positive and negative. When some of my players had their first children, when Isaque proposed to his girlfriend, when Mendoza scored his first Champions League goal, I always tried to be there for them and share those emotions. First and foremost, not as their head coach, but as an older brother. As for the part of your question concerning a potential call-up to the Brazil national team, I’m convinced that every Brazilian in our squad has a chance and is fully capable of earning one. At the moment, Kaua Elias, Pedro Henrique and Vinicius Tobias are the closest to receiving a call-up. At the same time, we have a whole generation of young players, such as Bruninho and Ryan, who also deserve a call-up to the national team. They have already progressed through various youth levels, so I have no doubts whatsoever about their potential. It is simply a matter of time for me.
– Mr Turan, why are your centre-forwards scoring so few goals, and why did it take the team so long to find the net today?
– The most important thing to understand is that we are playing the right way, in accordance with our football philosophy. If you are asking about the specific reason why our centre-forwards are scoring so few goals, it is directly related to the fact that I encourage them to devote more of their efforts to defensive work when we try to press the opposition as they build up from the back. I’m the one who gives them these instructions. However, this does not diminish their overall influence on the game or their importance within our team structure. We continue to play in accordance with our football philosophy. Perhaps, with this tactical setup, our forwards will score fewer goals than people have come to expect in modern football, but the most important thing is that we play the right way, rather than simply winning matches without playing the way we should.
– A question about Alisson. You brought him on as a substitute today, and he went on to score twice. What exactly did you want to see from him when he came on? And how important is it for him to get playing time before joining up with the Brazil national team?
– Alisson Santana is becoming a better player with every passing day and every game, and we are very happy to have him in our squad. His impact on the game is undoubtedly enormous, and I’m not revealing any secrets by saying that. He is very much part of my plans, and I’m convinced that the momentum he has built up in Shakhtar’s recent matches ahead of his international fixtures can give him even more confidence, although I think he has plenty of that already.
– Fans judge a coach by results, but a significant part of your work takes place away from the football pitch. What would you consider your greatest achievement as a coach that cannot be seen on the scoreboard?
– For me, the greatest achievement that cannot be measured by the final score on the scoreboard is the opportunity to leave behind something great and make a lasting mark on history. In other words, to work with several different players and be a close companion to them and something of a brother. I don’t believe in the concept of rotation, which people talk about so much. I believe in the concept of one family. That means having 24 players who respect one another equally, are ready to fight for one another and are united as a single group. That is the kind of football legacy I would like to leave behind, and it is far more important than the score on the scoreboard for me.