The head coach of Donetsk «Shakhtar» Arda Turan talked about what he expects from today’s away match of his team against Scottish «Aberdeen» in the 1st round of the main stage of the Conference League.
Arda Turan. Photo — shakhtar.com«We are facing a difficult match, and that is because „Aberdeen“ has football in its DNA. They have a wonderful culture and football history, which we must respect. Their squad includes many players with experience in national teams. Against such a club with such history and experience, we need to be very careful.
In our team, there are young footballers who are in the development stage. I hope that on Thursday we will play the kind of football that corresponds to „Shakhtar,“ and through the level of play, we can achieve a good result. But it will not be easy, and we need to fight hard for it — which we will do on Thursday. I believe there are chances for both sides, and in fact, I believe they are equal.
Our opponent is strong one-on-one. Statistically, they are the best team in Scotland. „Aberdeen“ is a very good team. We have immense respect for them. I think about it this way: it will be tough; it is impossible to underestimate. I have too much respect for Scottish football. They play football differently here, they have their own style, but we respect all of that very much.
„Aberdeen“ sometimes plays with three defenders behind, effectively five, and sometimes with four, as it was at home against „Celtic.“ We are prepared for both systems. This is a team that often plays between the lines and makes crosses from the flanks from a distance. „Aberdeen“ sometimes employs a 3−5 formation during attacks and often goes into half-flanks. We have worked through all the details, but football is an unpredictable sport, and players must assess the situation during the match and be ready for any decisions. We trust our system and level of play. We have no doubts about that. But this aspect of football — with long passes, standards, and long throw-ins — needs to be prepared for, especially in this part of the world, in the north, which is the cradle of football.
We are without Eginaldo and Neverton due to their injuries. As you know, Traore and Alisson have previously undergone surgeries, so they are also unavailable. The loss of four important attacking players is certainly very upsetting, but sometimes life gives us the chance to find new solutions, and we are not here to cry or complain like children. I am not here for that; I am here to find solutions. In fact, that is why I was appointed to this position. My staff and I will not resist this, on the contrary, we see it as an opportunity to learn and improve,» Turan said at the pre-match press conference.
