Arda Turan: "Satisfied with the players' character and desire to fight"
Press conference of the head coach of Shakhtar Ardi Turan after the UPL match against Kharkiv (1:0):
– I would like to start by saying that it is really difficult to play at 3 p.m. under the scorching sun at a tough away stadium. It's a whole different story when you play at 9 p.m. on a bigger stadium, and I can even imagine that it can be considered a completely different sport. So, I want to congratulate all the players because today's match was really tough. We knew that Mladen Bartulovich is a quality specialist who knows how to organize his teams very well, especially when it comes to defense. As proof of my words, I can mention the fact that in the previous season they were second, after LNZ, in the number of goals conceded. Therefore, after the break in this match, it was sometimes difficult for us to play with the ball, so I can only applaud my counterpart and again, taking this opportunity, congratulate my boys on the work they have done. Despite the fact that sometimes the game may not go according to your script, not as you want to dictate it, the most important thing is to be able to turn it around, sometimes endure and defend. So, yes, sometimes in football we can play with the ball, enjoy it, sometimes we have to defend. For me, this also indicates a certain maturity of the team if they can switch to the right settings at the right time.
– It was a tough game, a lot of struggle, a lot of emotions, and at the end there was a clash between the teams. What happened in that episode?
– This is football. I can answer you like this. The advantage of football is that its wonderful side is the emotion that gives us that adrenaline rush in the moment. And football, as a game, is a struggle, especially when big teams meet, which I consider both us and the opponent to be. Anything can happen, but, with your permission, some details should remain in the locker room.
– You will soon start in the main stage of the Champions League. Is the team ready for European matches at the highest level, and should we expect more transfers by the end of the month?
– UPL cannot be compared to the Champions League, these are completely different tournaments with a completely different atmosphere. However, I am convinced that our players will be fully prepared both physically and psychologically for the start of the main stage of the Champions League. It is important to understand the circumstances we are in, which are war and constant relocations. At the same time, I am completely satisfied with the transfer policy that the club has conducted this summer. I can go through the personnel. For example, Karavaev: I am convinced that he will perform a very important role in our team over time, we rely heavily on his experience and decision-making skills, especially in the final third of the field. Mendoza has already proven himself well. All the newcomers understand the requirements of the system very well and try to integrate into it, doing it even faster than we expected. Ryan Roberto, Bruninho - I am sure they have a bright future ahead of them, as they have extraordinary attacking potential and at the same time strive to learn. I am completely satisfied with the squad that the club has offered me, and I can only be happy to work with such performers.
– "Kharkiv" had 13 shots, while "Shakhtar" had only 5, yet you won. Can it be said that you consciously sacrificed territorial advantage for controlling the quality of moments and transitions, or is it rather a result of a specific scenario?
– We always want to control the game and dominate as much as possible during the confrontation, but we understand that this is not always possible, especially in a match against such a quality opponent as "Kharkiv." Indeed, today was tough. First of all, I am satisfied with how the players showed their character and desire to fight. Some of our newcomers experienced for the first time in their lives the fall of bombs at night and descended into bomb shelters. Of course, we do not use this as an excuse in any way. Unfortunately, these are the realities that Ukrainians have to face every day. Indeed, for some of them, this is a new experience that has changed their lives 100 percent. In response to your question, I am not satisfied with the level of our game today, but I am maximally satisfied with the level of character that the boys demonstrated.
– Do you know the venue for Shakhtar's home matches in the Champions League?
– We do not have one hundred percent confirmed information yet. In any case, as soon as the information becomes official, the club will immediately make a statement.
