Arda Turan Leads Shakhtar Donetsk to Dominant Victory in UEFA Conference League

Shakhtar Donetsk has strengthened its position in the UEFA Conference League following a 3-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar. According to reporting from Fanatik, the result has placed the Ukrainian side on the threshold of the tournament semi-finals.

The match was marked by selection difficulties for the opposition. Goal.com reported that AZ Alkmaar manager Leeroy Echteld had intended to start a different first eleven for the fixture, but was unable to do so because one of the intended players arrived late.

Arda Turan’s Managerial Tenure

The victory continues a period of success for Shakhtar Donetsk under the leadership of head coach Arda Turan. The former Turkish international, who previously managed Eyüpspor from 2023 to 2025, has transitioned into the role of head coach for the Ukrainian Premier League club.

Turan’s recent record in European competition includes a 4-2 away win against Besiktas in the Europa League, a result noted for its dominance.

Earlier in the UEFA Conference League campaign, Turan led Shakhtar to a 2-0 victory over Icelandic side Breidablik on November 7, 2025. In that fixture, Artem Bondarenko scored in the 28th minute and Kaua Elias added a second goal in the 65th minute.

First of all, I want to congratulate my players. All victories in Europe are important to me, so I am very happy right now. As for the positive aspects of the match: There were many young players on the pitch, we controlled the game as we wanted and dictated its course, we had good possession, showed patience, stuck to our system and demonstrated good reflexes.

Arda Turan, speaking on November 7, 2025

Following the Breidablik match, Turan identified areas for improvement, noting that the team could be more creative in the final third and more decisive in one-on-one situations.

Professional Background and Context

Arda Turan’s arrival at Shakhtar Donetsk follows a distinguished playing career in Europe’s top leagues. He spent six years in Spain’s La Liga, playing for both Atlético Madrid and Barcelona. He also had multiple stints with Galatasaray, where he was named captain at age 22 prior to the 2009–10 season.

Throughout his playing career, Turan earned 100 caps for the Turkey national team between 2006 and 2017. He was recognized as one of the top young players in the world following the UEFA Euro 2008 campaign and was the only Turkish player included in The Guardian’s 2014 list of the 100 best footballers in the world.

Amidst his current managerial success, Turan has also reflected on his past relationship with his former club. As reported by Mynet, Turan made a confession regarding Galatasaray, stating that the club had caused him to experience a bitter experience.

The 3-0 win over AZ Alkmaar serves as a significant milestone in Turan’s coaching career, as Yeniçağ Gazetesi described the victory as an unforgettable result that allows the manager to write history with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League.