17.08.2026 17:10
Arda Turan, who coaches Shakhtar Donetsk, spoke about Russia's missile attack on Kyiv ahead of the match against Metalist Kharkiv. Stating that they hastily took shelter in a bunker, Arda Turan said, 'During the attack, I was first in my room, then I went down to the shelter. My 10-12 players were also there. I asked them how they were and learned whether they could play. It's a very difficult psychology. I don't want to say 'I've gotten used to it,' but it seems we are learning to live with this.'
Arda Turan, who manages Shakhtar Donetsk of the Ukrainian Premier League, and his team spent a night shaken by explosions and missile sirens in Kyiv ahead of their league match against Metalist Kharkiv. Turan, who had to go down to a shelter during Russia's missile and drone attack on Kyiv, recounted his terrifying moments at the post-match press conference.
ON-FIELD CHALLENGES AND PRAISE FOR THE TEAM
Arda Turan, the head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, who beat Metalist Kharkiv 1-0 to make it three wins from three in the league, congratulated his players after the match and said, "There is a huge difference between playing football on dry ground at 3:30 in the afternoon and playing football in the Champions League at 9 in the evening. You could even call it a different sport; the speed of the ball, its slide, and the condition of the pitch change completely. However, my players do whatever is necessary. I am proud of them. I congratulate all of them for the character and fight they showed, beyond their performance."
"I WENT DOWN TO THE SHELTER WITH 10-12 OF MY PLAYERS"
The young coach stated that they hurriedly went down to the shelter late at night following the missile attacks in Kyiv, saying, "During the attack, I was first in my room, then I rushed down to the shelter. 10-12 of my players were there too. I asked them how they were and whether they could play. I stated that we must accept this is not an excuse but the harsh reality of war. Although I said I could very well understand them feeling tired, they all wanted to go out and play."
"WE ARE LEARNING TO LIVE WITH THIS, BUT WE DO NOT ACCEPT IT"
Turan also touched upon the psychological burden of managing football under war conditions and called for peace, saying, "It is a very difficult psychology. I don't want to say 'I've gotten used to it,' but it seems we are learning to live with this. However, I have always said I will not accept this. There is a war in Ukraine; children and innocent people are losing their lives. Last night, there were again missiles, bombs, and drones... I still don't understand what for, but I hope peace comes to the world as soon as possible."