--- title: "\"We Will Not Abandon Our Own Style\": Arda Turan Assesses Shakhtar's Chances Against Sporting" description: "Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan stated that the team is ready for the Champions League match against Sporting and will not abandon its possession-based style of play, despite Luis Suarez's high form." date: 2026-11-02T21:12:11.516Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/turan-assesses-shakhtar-chances-against-sporting tags: [champions-league, shakhtar, sporting, arda-turan, luis-suarez, paulo-fonseca, uefa] author: "Inna Kinsheva" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "We Will Not Abandon Our Own Style": Arda Turan Assesses Shakhtar's Chances Against Sporting ![Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan at a press conference before the Champions League match against Sporting](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/02/turan-ocenia-shansy-shahtera-protiv-sportinga-v-lige-chempionov/turan-ocenia-shansy-shahtera-protiv-sportinga-v-lige-chempionov-1.webp) ## Key Points - Arda Turan stated that Shakhtar is ready for the match against Sporting and aims to win, but at least not lose - Turan assessed Luis Suarez's form (3 goals in 3 UCL matches, 8 in 10 Portuguese league games) but warned against concentrating on a single player - Both teams prefer ball control; Sporting is dangerous in counterattacks through wingers - Sporting fired its coach before the match—Paulo Fonseca is at the helm Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Arda Turan shared his expectations ahead of the fourth matchday of the UEFA Champions League league phase regarding the away match against Portugal's Sporting. In a comment to FC Shakhtar's official website, relayed by Sport RBC.UA, the Turkish specialist emphasized that the team is approaching the match in good shape and intends to continue showcasing its playing identity, while urging not to underestimate the opponent's strength. ### Goals for the Match: Victory or at Least No Conceded Defeat Turan formulated the team's objective for the game in two key dimensions. According to him, the "Pitmen" will do everything possible to win, but if taking three points fails, it is fundamentally important not to lose. "We will do everything to win tomorrow, but if we fail to win, it is important not to yield. We know Sporting's strength and achievements, we respect this club very much and, of course, we will give more than 100 percent," the manager stated. He also noted that the team is approaching the match in good condition and is ready to continue demonstrating its game, which, in his opinion, Shakhtar convincingly displayed in the previous Champions League round against AC Milan's Inter. ### Luis Suarez Assessment: Do Not Focus on a Single Player Turan dedicated a separate block of his pre-match comments to Sporting striker Luis Suarez, who, according to the source, has scored three goals in three Champions League matches this season and recorded eight goal contributions in ten Portuguese league fixtures. The Shakhtar manager acknowledged the forward's high level but warned against a tactical mistake: "If we focus only on Suarez, other players will be able to score. Sporting in general is very good." According to Turan, to contain the Portuguese attacking line, the team will try to maintain more possession and showcase its own game rather than building its defense around a single opponent. ### Tactical Plan: Ball Control Versus Counterattacks Analyzing the tactical matchup, the Turkish specialist pointed out a key feature of both teams: both Shakhtar and Sporting prefer ball control. At the same time, Sporting, according to Turan's assessment, is especially dangerous in transitional phases—the Portuguese wingers actively join counterattacks and effectively utilize moments of rapid ball movement forward. "We are ready for tomorrow's match and will not abandon our own style of play—we will control the ball and try to keep it under our control for as long as possible," the Pitmen manager emphasized, indicating that Donetsk intends to dictate the rhythm to the opponent through possession rather than waiting it out in defense. ### Managerial Change at Sporting as a Factor of Uncertainty An additional storyline ahead of the match was the personnel reshuffle in Sporting's coaching staff. As previously reported, the Portuguese club dismissed its manager immediately before the meeting with Shakhtar, and Paulo Fonseca took his place on the coaching bridge. This fact adds an element of uncertainty to the pre-match preparation of both sides: Shakhtar will face a team that is likely restructuring its tactical schemes in a compressed timeframe. Nevertheless, Turan chose not to focus on this circumstance, concentrating instead on his team's playing tasks and respect for the opponent's collective as a whole. ### Context: Fourth Matchday of the League Phase The Shakhtar vs. Sporting match will be the fourth round of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase. For the Donetsk club, which played against Inter in the previous round, the encounter with the Portuguese side represents an opportunity to consolidate positive momentum and score points in the battle for a playoff spot. Turan did not reveal details of tactical preparation in his comment, limiting himself to general formulations about readiness and respect for the opponent, which is typical for pre-match press conferences at the Champions League level. ## Fact-Check & Sources - ["Не будем отказываться от собственного стиля игры": Туран оценил шансы "Шахтера" против "Спортинга"](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/football/ne-budemo-vidmovlyatisya-vid-vlasnogo-stilyu-1793653607.html) - Primary source: Turan's quotes, match context, mention of Suarez and Sporting's managerial change. Note: the source text mistakenly calls Suarez a Colombian. - [«Не будем отказываться от собственного стиля игры»: Туран оценил шансы Шахтера перед матчем со ...](https://sport.nv.ua/football/liga-chempionov-arda-turan-o-matche-shahtera-sporting-smenil-trenera-50655673.html) - Confirms context: fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, Shakhtar vs. Sporting matchup, coaching change in the Portuguese club. ## FAQ ### Who is Shakhtar's head coach before the match against Sporting? According to Sport RBC.UA, Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan provided the pre-match comments relayed to the club's official website. ### What statistical figures for Luis Suarez did Turan cite? Turan mentioned that Suarez scored three goals in three Champions League matches and registered eight goal contributions in ten Portuguese league fixtures. ### What happened to Sporting's coach before the match? According to available reports, Sporting dismissed its manager directly before the meeting with Shakhtar, and Paulo Fonseca took his place. ### What tactical plan did Turan outline? Turan stated that Shakhtar will not abandon its own style—ball control—and intends to keep the ball as long as possible to neutralize Sporting's threat on the counterattack.