Arda Turan: I wouldn't say this is the most difficult period for our team

Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Arda Turan commented on the away match of the 29th round of the UPL against Kryvyi Rih Kryvyi Rih Kryvyi Rih - 3:2.

- Сongratulations on the victory. It's been a very difficult week for you. Can we say that this week is perhaps even the most difficult period in your career so far at Shakhtar?

- No, no, I wouldn't say that this is the most difficult period. First of all, we are here for the children and in general for all the fans present. That's why we knew what we were going here for. I would compare it with other, more difficult, in my opinion, periods. For example, when we had three matches in the UPL during the week, also with the postponed match against Zorya.

Also, periods when we had to play on two fronts in the Ukrainian Championship and immediately go on European trips. It is also not easy to return to the national team after breaks and get into playing form. So yes, from a psychological point of view it is not easy, but as I emphasized, we played for the children, we played for all the fans present. .

- Today there were two forced substitutions in the first half. I saw how indignant you were at that moment and allegedly turned to the physical training coach. Tell me what was the reason for those substitutions.

- Considering our schedule, it took us 16 hours to get here. I don't think there is even a need to look for any special explanations. And if I'm not mistaken, during the last 16 matches we have been playing regularly two or three times a week, so I think this is better than any explanations.

- Traore scored again. I saw you say something to him after he celebrated the goal, and after you replaced him. What was it exactly? And how important is this player for Shakhtar?

- We always have some local jokes between us that we use in the context of whether he will be able to stand out or not. And for me, he is first and foremost a person. And at the same time, his contribution to our winning the Ukrainian champion title this season is simply impossible to overestimate. And I love him immensely.

- Before this match, we also learned that Riznyk, Eginaldu are those players who have already gone to rest, they were not included in today's application. Tell us, the last round is ahead, will you give some more rest, such a premature one, to some other players?

- We will think about it, and the decision will be made generally at the level of the club's top management. We take into account all the minutes that were played in the season by this or that player, and also the potential risk of them getting injured in this difficult final period of the season. Riznyk played a lot, so he deserved this rest. Eginaldu and Neverton had injuries, so they could also leave the club, but at the same time they continue to train individually. And Mykola Matvienko has been called up to the Ukrainian national team extremely often over the past two seasons, where he also plays full matches, so we gave him the opportunity to rest in order to reduce the risk of injuries and stress for the next season.

- Shakhtar has guaranteed a place in the Champions League. We often hear that Shakhtar plans to keep all the team leaders. But what signings are planned and is Shakhtar Donetsk working right now?

- I am responsible for building the team tactically and technically. And of course the Champions League is a completely different level of competition, a different level of football challenge. However, I think that with regard to the formation of the team, it is better to address this question to Srna.

Press service of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih according to the materials UPL TV