Shakhtar Donetsk coach Arda Turan says his team’s style is shaped by Diego Simeone’s defensive principles and Luis Enrique’s attacking ideas as they prepare to face Inter.
The Ukrainian club are technically gifted and built around possession, quick combinations and the development of young players. Turan said he inherited a talented squad that needed a stronger collective identity, before leading them to the league title and the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League in his first season.
Shakhtar now want to establish themselves in the Champions League, despite the difficult circumstances created by the war.
“At this level, victory or defeat often comes down to details,” Turan told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “We want to control games, dominate possession and press immediately when we lose the ball. What we are doing is extremely difficult, but I do not want that to become an excuse.”
The team regularly face journeys of 14 to 16 hours each way for European matches, travelling by bus and train. Sometimes they cannot return to their training base after a game, leaving little time for recovery or full training sessions.
Turan said the demands were “almost impossible” from a sports science perspective, particularly for a squad dominated by young players who are more vulnerable to injury. He praised Shakhtar for creating detailed plans to reduce the conflict’s impact on the team.
The coach also embraces the club’s reputation as the “European Brazil”.
“I always tell the players: ‘Play in Shakhtar’s style,’” he said. “That is not an empty phrase. Over the years, we have developed a strong team identity.”
Turan gives young players freedom to make mistakes if they follow his tactical principles. Recalling his own time at Galatasaray under Frank Rijkaard, he said the coach once stopped training to tell him that dribbling past opponents in midfield mattered less than beating them near the penalty area, where such actions could decide matches.
Defensively, Turan takes inspiration from Simeone’s positioning, compactness, pressing and defensive line. He studies Luis Enrique’s solutions against deep defences, Fatih Terim’s communication and pressure management, Professor Ortega’s pre-season preparation and Burgos’ set-piece organisation.
However, he said coaches must combine lessons from many people rather than copy one individual. His approach to motivation includes clear objectives, accountability, honest feedback and creating an environment in which players feel trusted and responsible. Silence, music, films, stories and sincere conversations can all help players understand why they are representing Shakhtar and what they owe to the people connected with the club.
Turan said he does not dwell on once coming close to joining Inter as a player. He respects the club but lives in the present.
He praised Cristian Chivu for restoring Inter to winning ways after last season, saying the relationship between Chivu and his players could give them an advantage in the Champions League. He believes Inter can challenge for honours in any competition, but declined to discuss their weaknesses publicly.
Turan described Hakan Calhanoglu, his former team-mate and now captain of the Turkish national team, as “like a brother”. He praised the midfielder’s control, decision-making and leadership, while acknowledging the emotional significance of facing him.
Asked about the Champions League, Turan selected Real Madrid because of their experience and squad depth. He also highlighted PSG, Bayern, Barcelona and Inter, while saying he hoped Atletico Madrid would win.
On the 2015 incident when he threw a boot towards the fourth official during Atletico Madrid’s match with Barcelona, Turan joked: “Just make sure you don’t hit anyone.” He added that, as a coach, he had greater responsibility and would understand a player’s anger but not approve of expressing it that way.
Asked which current player resembles his younger self, Turan named Baena, although he said the player was a better goalscorer and had a greater impact. He added, jokingly, that the comparison to “Beckham with a warrior’s spirit” might also refer to his appearance.
