Arda Turan: Some children under bombs and drones were happy today

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Arda Turan said children living under bombs and drones in Ukraine being happy was worth more than any success in the world, after his side beat AEK 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Champions League.

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Arda Turan made emotional remarks at his post-match news conference after the Ukrainian side beat Greece’s AEK 3-1 in the second round of the UEFA Champions League. “I am happy because Shakhtar Donetsk is the first Ukrainian team to win in England in the Champions League,” Turan said.

Highlighting what the win meant for children in Ukraine, where the war forces the club to play its home matches abroad, Turan said: “I know that today some children under bombs and drones were happy. That is enough for us; it is worth all the successes in the world.”

First Champions League win as a coach

Stamford Bridge stadium in London (file photo)

At Stamford Bridge in London, AEK went ahead through Lovro Majer in the 28th minute. Shakhtar equalized with Pedrinho’s 34th-minute penalty and won 3-1 thanks to an 80th-minute own goal and Gleiker Mendoza’s strike in the 86th minute. Turan earned his first Champions League win as a coach at Stamford Bridge, where he scored as a player 12 years ago.

Shakhtar, now on four points, will visit Inter in the next round.