Former Barca player Turan: I draw heavily on Simeone's defensive ideas & Enrique's attacking ideas

Ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk's visit to Inter, coach A.Turan previewed the match in an exclusive interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Arda Turan’s Shakhtar Donetsk is a technically gifted, attack-minded team that prioritizes possession, quick combinations and developing young players. The Ukrainian club traditionally plays proactive football, though its squad has been reshaped by the challenges of playing away from Donetsk.

When I first arrived, I took over a team with outstanding talent, but they desperately needed a strong collective identity. In the first season, we won the league title and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Now we want to prove that the team can also establish itself in the Champions League. At this level, victory or defeat often comes down to details; even poor body positioning can cost you dearly. We have a tactical system we believe in, and the players always know what to do. We want to control the game, dominate possession, and press immediately to win the ball back when we lose it. From a competitive standpoint, what we are doing now is extremely difficult, but I don't want that to be an excuse.

Are you referring to the impact of the war?

Yes. We spend long hours traveling by bus and train, leaving the players little time to recover and rest. We barely have any time for full training sessions. When we compete in European competitions, the team's average one-way journey takes 14 to 16 hours. Sometimes, we can't even return to our base after a match. We have to consider not only the physical demands of the competition itself but also the fatigue caused by long-distance travel. From a sports science perspective, maintaining such a schedule is almost impossible. Our team is mainly composed of young players, and less experienced youngsters are more prone to injuries. I am grateful to the club for often developing meticulous plans to minimize the impact of the conflict on the team.

Under your guidance, Shakhtar remains the "European Brazil."

I always tell the players, “Play in Shakhtar’s style.” This is by no means an empty phrase, because over the years we have established a strong team identity. The Brazilian players who come here have immense talent and potential, and we need to guide them as they adapt to modern football, more intense physical battles and tackling.

There are many Brazilian players in the team, as well as a high proportion of young players. Is this an advantage, or does a lack of experience in major competitions also pose a challenge?

I give young players the freedom to make mistakes, provided they stick to this tactical system. As long as they follow our tactical principles, I will never blame them for making mistakes. I know from experience that when I was eighteen or nineteen, I saw the game differently, always thinking that talent alone could solve every problem. Back then, at Galatasaray, my coach was Rijkaard. On the training ground, I could dribble past everyone. One day, Frank stopped the whole team and told me: "Arda, what's the point of dribbling past ten people in a row in midfield? If you believe in your ability, then beat your opponents in front of their penalty area; that's where those breakthroughs truly decide the game."

What kind of coach is A.Turan, and who inspires his coaching?

Defensively, I draw heavily on Simeone’s ideas: positioning, overall compactness, high pressing and a compact defensive line. In attack, I look to Luis Enrique for solutions against compact defences. I learn from Terim about player communication and managing pressure, while my pre-season preparation is influenced by Professor Ortega. Burgos informs my approach to set-piece organisation. But a coach cannot shape their style by drawing on just one person. You have to learn from everyone and integrate what you’ve learned into your own system.

I motivate players by giving them clear objectives, holding them accountable and making sure they understand their role in the team. Recognition is important, but so is honest feedback. I also try to create a competitive, united environment where players feel trusted, challenged and responsible for the team’s success. Ultimately, motivation comes from combining high standards with genuine support.

To succeed, you must step outside your comfort zone, which is one of the reasons I came to Shakhtar. Motivation is not just about pre-match pep talks: a moment of silence, a song, a film, a story or a brief, sincere conversation with a player can have a far greater impact than you might imagine. I make it a habit to encourage the players to confront our reality: Why are we playing here? What do we owe these people? Once you find the answers to these questions, motivation no longer comes from external sources but from within.

More than ten years ago, you were very close to joining Inter. Were you hoping to make that move at the time?

Inter is one of the greatest names in world football, but my playing career is in the past, and I shouldn't dwell on what might have been. I respect and admire Inter, but I live in the present.

What do you make of this Inter team under Chivu? How far can they go in the Champions League?

He achieved excellent results with the team last year. It's not easy to get back to winning ways, especially in Serie A, one of the most competitive leagues in the world. Their performances on the pitch show a very strong bond between Chivu and the players in this Inter team. That's what I admire most about Cristian: in the Champions League, this kind of cohesion can give a team an extra edge. This Inter team is capable of challenging for honours in any competition.

Can you identify their weaknesses?

I don’t think it’s appropriate to discuss an opponent’s weaknesses openly. I just hope we can identify their vulnerabilities and make the most of our opportunities.

You and Calhanoglu have played together many times, and now you will face him as a coach.

Calhanoglu is more than just a former teammate to me; he is like a brother and is also the captain of the Turkish national team. I have deep affection for him. He is top-class on the field: he controls the rhythm of the game, always makes the right decisions under pressure, and is a leader. Playing against him is always tough, but I prefer to focus on the emotional significance of the occasion: two people who once represented Turkish football on the world's biggest stage will now face each other on opposite sides of the field.

It’s hard to call, but I’d pick Real Madrid. They have the experience and squad depth to go all the way.

PSG and Bayern are the favorites, Barcelona could be a dark horse, and Inter could also go a long way. But if I had to pick just one team, I’d hope Atletico Madrid wins.

If one of your players lost his boot and threw it at the fourth official, what would you say to him? Something similar happened to you during Atletico Madrid's match against Barcelona in 2015...

"Just make sure you don't hit anyone." (laughs) As a coach, I have a greater responsibility. If my player's anger is understandable, I would tell him I understand how he feels. But that's not the way to express those emotions...

Someone once commented: “A.Turan is Beckham with a warrior’s spirit.” Is there any player in football today who reminds you of your younger self?

Sometimes I feel that way when I watch Baena, but he is a better goalscorer and has more of an impact than I did back then. That comment flatters me, and I hope it also refers to my appearance. (laughs)

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