09.11.2026 14:42
Following the derby in which Shakhtar Donetsk drew 0-0 with Dynamo Kyiv, head coach Arda Turan's comments drew attention. After the match, in which his team played with 10 men, the young coach reacted to some of his players going directly to the dressing room, saying, "I am unhappy with this disconnected attitude of my players," and announced that he would have a serious meeting with his players.
The derby between Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv in the Ukrainian Premier League ended in a goalless draw. Shakhtar, who played with 10 men in the match, moved to the top of the table with a game in hand after earning one point. However, head coach Arda Turan focused after the match more on his players' behavior off the pitch than on the result. The Turkish coach expressed his discomfort with the team not acting together at the end of the derby.
THEY BATTLED WITH 10 MEN AND ROSE TO THE TOP
In the match played at Arena Lviv in the 12th week of the Ukrainian Premier League, Shakhtar Donetsk drew 0-0 with Dynamo Kyiv. Shakhtar, who completed part of the match with 10 men, increased their points to 29 and moved ahead of Polessya, who have 28 points, with a game in hand. Dynamo Kyiv remained third with 23 points.
Arda Turan, who appreciated his players' fight in the tough derby, said that a situation after the final whistle disappointed him.
"I AM EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH HALF THE TEAM GOING INSIDE"
Stating that he expected his players to act together at the end of the match, Arda Turan criticized part of the team staying on the pitch while the other part went to the dressing room.
Turan used the following statements:
"I appreciate my players' fight on the pitch, but I am extremely uncomfortable with half the team going inside immediately at the end of the match while the other half stays on the pitch. After fighting with 10 men in a derby like this, we must feel that spirit together."
"IF WE STOP HUGGING EACH OTHER, WE CANNOT BE SUCCESSFUL"
Emphasizing that success cannot be achieved only with tactics on the pitch, the young coach reminded his players of the importance of being a team. Stating that empty stands should not eliminate the feeling of togetherness, Turan continued his words as follows:
"The stands may be empty, but the reward for this effort is to unite and hug each other. If we stop hugging each other, we cannot achieve success in any competition. In football, beyond tactics, it is necessary to be a family and feel the fire inside."
"I WILL TALK ABOUT THIS WHEN WE RETURN TO CAMP"
Also reminding that he tries to give opportunities to all footballers in the team, Arda Turan clearly stated that he would not cover up the situation.
"How many coaches in Europe give a chance to everyone in the squad as much as I do? I am unhappy with this disconnected attitude of my players, and when we return to camp I will speak openly with them about it."
Turan's statements revealed that at Shakhtar Donetsk he attaches great importance to team unity as well as the fight on the pitch.