Turan: Inter contenders for Champions League, Shakhtar need 110%

Inter’s lack of points does not change Arda Turan’s assessment: the Shakhtar coach still sees them as potential Champions League winners. Speaking at today’s press conference ahead of the clash on 21 October at San Siro, he identified Inter’s ability to find different solutions as the threat his side must tackle. He drew comparisons with PSG and Barcelona: respecting the opposition and carefully managing the different phases of the match will be essential.

Arda Turan, press conference «Inter have zero points, but they are coming off two very strong performances and are contenders to win the competition.»

The Ukrainian side, meanwhile, arrive with four points: a 1-1 draw away to PSV Eindhoven and a 3-1 win over AEK have kept them unbeaten. In their 19 appearances in the competition, only in 2012/13 and 2014/15 have they remained undefeated after their third match as well. Turan, who highlighted Inter’s high numbers of goals and shots on target and their two Champions League final appearances in recent years, believes his side will have to perform to the very best of their ability.

«Tomorrow we will have to give 110%.»

The match also has personal significance for the coach, who will be reunited with Çalhanoğlu, a player he regards as a brother and a role model for many children. The backdrop is a European meeting that has already taken Inter to a final: in 2020, they beat Shakhtar 5-0 in the Europa League semi-final. This time, the visitors are chasing points to progress in the Champions League, despite having to play their home fixtures away from home.

Defender Bondar expects an aggressive Inter, driven by the need to get off the mark in front of their own fans. Alongside that sporting motivation is the desire to offer Ukrainians a moment of happiness during the war: the country’s support, he says, comes with the weight of what it is enduring. At San Siro, Shakhtar will seek a victory that can give their people at least 90 minutes of joy.