04.11.2026 16:11
Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Arda Turan made noteworthy statements ahead of the match they will play against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League. Saying that the team he has wanted to compete against most since childhood was Fenerbahçe, Turan said, "I don't hate them." The young coach, who also shared his excitement about facing his close friend Emre Belözoğlu, stated that regardless of the match result, he would experience one of the most beautiful moments of his life.
In the 4th week of the UEFA Champions League, Shakhtar Donetsk, managed by Arda Turan, lost 1-0 to Sporting Lisbon at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London. Speaking after the match, Turan both evaluated his team's performance and talked about the challenge they will play against Fenerbahçe on November 25. Turan's remarks about Fenerbahçe drew attention, as he stated that facing the yellow-navy team's new head coach, Emre Belözoğlu, carries special meaning for him.
"I DON'T HATE THEM"
Stating that competing with Fenerbahçe has had a special importance for him since childhood, Arda Turan described his feelings toward the yellow-navy club with these words:
"The team I have most wanted to compete against since childhood is Fenerbahçe. And frankly speaking, I don't hate them. I have said bad things about them, we have mocked each other and competed. But I don't actually hate them. Because they were the most important reason for my rivalries; I experienced my greatest excitements against them."
"EMRE ABI HAS A VERY IMPORTANT PLACE IN MY LIFE"
Also touching on his close friendship from the past with Emre Belözoğlu, who has taken over at Fenerbahçe, Arda Turan said that the two Turkish coaches facing each other in the Champions League excited him.
Turan said, "Emre Belözoğlu is someone who has a very important place in my life. He is a friend with whom we sometimes had an older brother-younger brother relationship during our playing days. Together with him, we will enjoy facing each other at Champions League level. I think it will be a very enjoyable match; it will be exciting."
"IT WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES OF MY LIFE"
Recalling that he and Emre Belözoğlu will be opponents at Stamford Bridge, Arda Turan expressed what the match means to him with these words:
"Playing against Emre Abi in the Champions League too, together on the sidelines at Stamford Bridge. What could be more beautiful than that? I don't know what the result will be. But I think we will do everything we can to let those people, the young people, and the children watch an enjoyable match. I always wish the best for him and for his family; his children are like my nephews. It will be a magnificent, enjoyable match. It will be a moment we will be proud of. Whatever the score, I will set it aside as one of the most beautiful memories of my life."
"WE CANNOT COMPETE WITH FENERBAHÇE'S EXPERIENCE"
Stating that the yellow-navy team has a strong squad, Turan expressed that they have great respect for Fenerbahçe. The young coach said, "Fenerbahçe has very experienced, good players. We cannot compete with their experience. Perhaps we will try to stand up to them with our youth. They will probably be more at home here. It will be difficult for us."
Arda Turan also added that before the Fenerbahçe match, they are focused only on the Dynamo Kyiv match.
"WE DID NOT PLAY BADLY ENOUGH TO LOSE"
Also evaluating the defeat against Sporting Lisbon, Arda Turan said that he was generally pleased with his team's performance but that they needed to address their shortcomings in attack.
Turan said, "I don't know if we played well enough to win, but we did not play badly enough to lose. I hate using the word unlucky in football. We behaved clumsily. We have to improve that too. We must teach the young players to play the moments, to play more correctly."
HARSH REACTION TO VAR REFEREES
Turan, who reacted to the failure to award a penalty after the challenge on Vinicius Tobias in the penalty area in the second half of the match, criticized the VAR referees.
Arda Turan expressed his reaction with the words, "You and I both know that this was a penalty. They know it too. But Italian referees continue in this way, just as they know everything. I cannot change this issue. I have suffered a lot because of my reactions to the injustices I have experienced in my life. That is why I try to draw them to the side where I am strong, onto the pitch. Our job is to play the best and do what is right. But the decision is painful for a person no matter how you look at it. I think they should be ashamed of this decision."