Arda Turan: the strength of the bond between Chivu and Inter

Arda Turan sees the understanding between Cristian Chivu and his squad as one of the strengths of the Inter side he is preparing to face. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy’s leading sports daily, the Shakhtar coach links the Nerazzurri’s energy to the strength of that relationship and believes they can succeed in every competition. He does not, however, discuss their weaknesses in detail: he prefers to find them on the pitch rather than reveal them publicly.

Arda Turan, interview with Gazzetta dello Sport «This Inter side is capable of winning at every level they compete at».

The Ukrainian side arrive with four points, earned through a draw with PSV and a 3-1 win over AEK Athens, while the Nerazzurri are seeking their first European victory of the season. The coach describes an approach built on possession and an immediate response to losing the ball. He gives young players room to make mistakes, provided they adhere to the team’s principles: his first season brought the domestic title and a Conference League semi-final.

Preparing for matches also means contending with the war. Turan describes European trips lasting between 14 and 16 hours, involving trains and coaches, which leave less time to recover and train. He does not want to use them as an excuse, but refuses to regard those conditions as normal. Another reminder of football’s value came from Roman, an eight-year-old boy who had lost his mother and whose home had been bombed: it was he who encouraged the coach after a defeat.

«Football can give these people a few hours of happiness: we are more than just a team, we represent a country’s hope».

At San Siro, he will be reunited with Hakan Çalhanoğlu, with whom he has shared many international appearances and a brotherly bond. Turan admires his ability to control the tempo and think clearly under pressure, so the encounter will also have personal significance. The match takes place on Wednesday 21 October at 21:00 CEST, on matchday three of the Champions League league phase.