The head coach of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Arda Turan, shared his expectations for today’s match between his team and the Icelandic club Breidablik in the 3rd round of the main stage of the Conference League.
Arda Turan. Photo — shakhtar.com«In the last Conference League match, we suffered a defeat from Legia (1:2, — ed.) and now we want to show a reaction after that game. We’ll step onto the field to demonstrate our best level. Some of our players are the future of Shakhtar, so I’m looking forward to this clash to see the level of play and the team. We will strive to improve and act confidently on the field. We aim to secure a victory, as the Conference League is also one of our main goals. We’ll try to carry this positive energy onto the field tomorrow.
Of course, our dream is to enter the top eight, but anything is possible in football. If we have to play an extra round, that is, playoffs, I believe we can advance further. But, of course, the main goal is to finish the tournament in the top eight.
Regarding the specifics of Icelandic football in general and our opponent in particular, I can say exactly what I told the players during the analytical meeting. I mentioned that among us are players who have played against Iceland for the Ukrainian national team, and I said: you know how difficult it is to play against them. Of course, Breidablik and the Icelandic national team do not have exactly the same characteristics; there are similar traits between them, but Breidablik is more eager to play short passes and control the ball compared to the national team. Breidablik is strong in other aspects of the game but undoubtedly possesses the footballing skill typical of Icelanders.
I have always been a straightforward person, and, of course, this time it will be difficult to have the same motivation we had in the match against Dynamo, as it is a completely different game. I hope we maintain the same level of motivation, but my players must show respect for the game. After a defeat, any team can show a reaction, but great teams can demonstrate it even after big victories. So the match against Dynamo was good, but now we need to show the same level of focus and play — and this will become a real test for my players in terms of their footballing behavior. In football, you can win, you can also lose, but what matters is how you play, and that’s what will be a test for my players tomorrow,» said Turan at the pre-match press conference.
