Shakhtar Donetsk manager Arda Turan addressed the media ahead of a daunting UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg against Crystal Palace, acknowledging the significant challenge his team faces but refusing to abandon their dreams of reaching the final. The Ukrainian side enters the match at Selhurst Park trailing 3-1 from the first encounter, a deficit that places their continental aspirations in serious jeopardy.
Turan, the former Turkish international midfielder now in his managerial role, struck a tone of determined realism during his pre-match press conference. He conceded that his team is in a difficult position but emphasized that hope remains a powerful motivator. "In life, if there is hope, we know this can happen," Turan stated, framing the upcoming match not just as a football contest but as a test of character and belief for his squad.
The 39-year-old coach expressed satisfaction with his team's performance in the first leg, despite the unfavorable scoreline. He highlighted the quality of their upcoming opponents, noting that Crystal Palace is a well-organized side that stays true to its system. Turan's primary objective for the second leg is clear: to at least force a draw and give themselves a fighting chance, a goal he described as bringing the tie "at least to a draw."
A notable moment in the press conference came when Turan was asked about the praise he received from his counterpart, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner. In a display of humility and tactical honesty, Turan admitted that the first leg served as a harsh lesson. He credited Palace for capitalizing on their strengths to score, while acknowledging his own team's shortcomings in that area. "I was checkmated in the first match," Turan confessed, using a chess metaphor to describe being outmaneuvered tactically.
Turan anticipates a different kind of challenge in the return leg. He expects Crystal Palace to apply more pressure and dominate possession, a scenario his team must be prepared for. However, he made a passionate declaration about his team's ethos: they will not take a step back. The core principle, he stressed, is that Shakhtar Donetsk will not abandon its own style of play. The goal is to implement their game and seek to improve upon it, regardless of the circumstances.
The manager drew a powerful parallel between the fight on the pitch and the resilience required off it, referencing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He argued that if civilians can wake up to bombs and still send their children to school, then his footballers have no excuse not to give their absolute maximum effort. "There can be no excuse for not fighting," Turan asserted, elevating the match beyond mere sport into a symbol of perseverance.
When questioned about how he defines success, Turan's answer was multifaceted. He stated plainly that elimination would constitute failure, underscoring the high standards he sets. Yet, he also spoke of a broader, more profound success: the achievement of returning Shakhtar Donetsk to the Champions League, and doing so from a nation at war. He described this potential feat as a testament to the players' character, suggesting that qualifying for Europe's elite club competition directly from such circumstances would be a monumental accomplishment.
Perhaps the most poignant moment came when Turan was asked if reaching the final would be the pinnacle of his career. He deflected the hypothetical, instead pointing to past experiences that have already defined his and his players' greatest moments. "The nights when bombs were falling and we got up in the morning to train were the biggest moments of our careers," he reflected. This statement encapsulates the unique context of Shakhtar Donetsk's journey—a team whose identity and resilience have been forged in extraordinary adversity.
The second leg presents a formidable task for Turan's side. Overturning a two-goal deficit against a strong Premier League opponent in their own stadium requires a near-perfect performance. However, the narrative surrounding Shakhtar Donetsk has long transcended simple results. Their participation in the latter stages of European competition is a story of defiance and unity, qualities Turan is determined to see on display at Selhurst Park.
As the match approaches, the focus will be on whether tactical adjustments and sheer willpower can bridge the gap left by the first-leg loss. Turan's words suggest a team that will approach the game with courage and a commitment to their identity, seeking to write another remarkable chapter in their extraordinary season. Based on reporting from Hürriyet.
