On Sunday, November 2, in the central match of the 11th round of the Ukrainian championship, Kyiv’s Dynamo lost 1:3 to Donetsk’s Shakhtar. The match took place in Lviv at the Arena Lviv stadium. Here is the post-match press conference of Shakhtar’s head coach Arda Turan.
Arda Turan. Photo — Yu. Yuriev— First of all, I want to say that we experienced very difficult days after losing to Dynamo in the Ukrainian Cup. It was really tough for us. But it’s important that we understood how to react in this situation, and today we managed to execute well, making the right conclusions from the cup confrontation.
Today we attacked very well, and our defensive unit was exactly how I wanted to see it. We presented ourselves worthily both in defense and in positional phases.
As for the conceded goal, unfortunately, what we analyzed following the cup match with Dynamo happened.
Overall, I am completely satisfied with how our team players performed today. All the moments that occurred in the match, we played at a high level and deserved the victory. At the same time, three points are always three points, they are given for a victory over any opponent — be it Dynamo or another team. So we do not succumb to euphoria, we have a lot of work ahead. But today the players deserved a good celebration.
Despite the positive result, we did not capitalize on all our opportunities. Ocherechko, Konoplia, Pedrinho could have scored. But still, we managed to draw many conclusions from the cup defeat by Dynamo, which were useful today. Even a draw would not have been pleasant. That is why I am very happy.
I know that before the cup confrontation, Dynamo could not beat Shakhtar for five years. But we highly respect Dynamo, and it is the strongest opponent in this league.
— Did you use Denis Popov’s words about the «Classic» as motivation for the team, regarding it now being a parody compared to earlier Dynamo and Shakhtar confrontations?
— We try not to pay attention to any statements from opponents. But I am confident that our players responded today to Popov with their game and the result.
I believe there should be more respect for the opponent. On the field, you can look for any moves within the rules of football. But when communication expands to the masses, you need to show more respect for the opponent. Popov was also young and is now an example for the youth. In this sense, he has presented himself as a parody. He should be an example, including for our young Brazilians who have come to another country, 12 thousand kilometers from their home, to a country at war, and where they share their dreams with Ukrainian children. In football, there can be victory or defeat, but respect must always be present.
All this I say not as Shakhtar’s head coach but just as a person.
Post-match press conference of Dynamo’s head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi.
Alexander POPOV from Lviv
