Shakhtar's Arda Turan Criticizes Fixture Congestion Ahead of European Clash

Shakhtar Manager's Post-Match Remarks

According to Главком: Following a 2:2 draw with Cherkasy's LNZ in the 23rd round of the Ukrainian Premier League, Shakhtar Donetsk's head coach Arda Turan expressed his frustration at dropping points. While showing respect for the opponent, Turan emphasized that his team, which is still in the title race, controls its own destiny.

“Our first-half performance wasn't what I wanted to see, but the second half was much more in line with my vision. I'm proud of the players for their second-half effort.”

Arda Turan

Preparing for a Crucial European Fixture

Shakhtar is now preparing for a critical UEFA Conference League quarter-final against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on April 16th. Turan highlighted the demanding schedule his team faces, with three domestic league matches scheduled in a single week against Polissya Zhytomyr, Zorya, and Kryvbas. This fixture pile-up is a common challenge for clubs competing on multiple fronts.

“It's important to understand that we are operating under difficult conditions from one match to the next.”

Arda Turan

The UPL also announced the latest award winners:

• LNZ forward Danylo Kravchuk
• Karpaty head coach Fran Fernández

Both were recognized for their performances in the 22nd round. Furthermore, Dynamo Kyiv's Matviy Ponomarenko was named the Premier League's best player for February-March, with his club's manager, Ihor Kostyuk, taking the best coach award.

Shakhtar continues to compete domestically while representing Ukraine in European competition. Turan called for improved scheduling conditions to better accommodate teams, underscoring an ongoing debate in Ukrainian football about how fixture congestion can impact performance both at home and abroad.

As Shakhtar navigates the challenges of a packed schedule, the team's resilience will be put to the test. In light of recent discussions about fixture congestion, it's worth exploring how the club managed a similar situation back in April 2026, when they faced a grueling stretch of matches amid an injury crisis. For an in-depth look at that challenging period, see how it compares to the current scenario in this detailed report.