15.10.2026 14:00
Shakhtar Donetsk, unable to play its European matches in its country due to the war, defeated AEK 3-1. However, behind Arda Turan and his students' victory were 10-hour grueling journeys, footballers waiting for news from their families, and a struggle fought in the shadow of war. The Turkish coach's words after the match were moving.
Forced to play their home matches outside Ukraine because of the war, Shakhtar Donetsk left the field with a 3-1 victory despite falling 1-0 behind against AEK in the Champions League. Behind the win achieved by the Ukrainian team managed by Arda Turan at Stamford Bridge was a story extending far beyond football.
THEY TRAVELED 10 HOURS TO BE THE HOME TEAM
Shakhtar Donetsk's delegation of more than 100 people set off from Lviv to the Polish border for the match in nine minibuses and three buses. The team's journey, reaching London via Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in Poland, took about 10 hours. Special preparations were made so the players could rest, and possible delays at border crossings were also taken into account.
THEIR MATCHES STOP WITH SIREN SOUNDS
The war in Ukraine also affects the team's league matches. In Shakhtar's 3-0 victory over Veres Rivne, the second half was delayed by 20 minutes due to an air-raid warning, and the players and officials had to go to a shelter.
Even though the players leave their country for European matches, they continue to worry about the safety of the families they left behind.
"WHEN THE MATCH IS OVER, WE WILL CHECK OUR PHONES"
Shakhtar midfielder Yehor Nazaryna, noting that his wife, daughter, and mother live in Lviv, described the impact of the war in these words:
"My wife, daughter, and mother live there. You want to forget the situation in Ukraine, but because of your family and friends, you cannot. While playing football, you can push your thoughts away for a while. But after the match, all of us will check our phones and look at messages from our families."
ARDA TURAN: MY PLAYERS TAUGHT ME
Arda Turan, who became emotional while describing the difficulties his team has experienced, said he learned a great deal from the fight shown by his players.
The Turkish coach said, "Actually, I am not doing anything. My players taught me how to live under these conditions and how to continue the fight without making excuses." Turan said, "We are not trying to turn this into a drama. But we will underline it; because we are living inside the war and children are dying in Ukraine. We are living with this situation, but we do not accept it."
"I AM HAPPY THAT WE CAN MAKE CHILDREN SMILE"
In the match watched by 29,144 people at Stamford Bridge, Shakhtar managed to win 3-1 after falling behind. Describing what the victory meant to him after the match, Arda Turan used these words:
"I am very happy that we can make children smile who might be under attack by bombs and drones. I believe this is worth all the achievements in the world. This is what makes me happiest."