Arda Turan has said he can relate to his new manager Luis Enrique in an interview on a Spanish Radio programme Tu Diràs. The midfielder said Luis Enrique has added something extra Barcelona didn’t have in previous seasons.
The Turkish international stated, “I can really relate to him. He’s intense and aggressive.”. Arda Turan was known to be a fiery midfielder in his Atletico days and has said he can identify that intense spirit in his new manager. “Barcelona have always been about football, team spirit and quality. But he adds that element of aggressiveness”, he added.
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Atletico Madrid are known for their strong defensive unit and also have a very aggressive minded manager in Diego Simeone which is probably where the Red and Whites get their intense approach in matches.
Arda Turan was drilled in the same way during his four seasons with the Madrid outfit and knows how spirited his old team are.
”I’ve been on both sides of the fence and can tell you how hard it is to stop a team like ours. The Atlético Madrid and Athletic Club players have a lot of character and heart. Their playing style deserves respect. You have to play hard. As Barcelona players we have to understand that they’re going to do whatever it takes to stop us” the 29-year-old said.
But he feels Luis Enrique also has some of those qualities which he has brought to the club last year. Turan has also stated winning the Champions League as one of his main goals at Barcelona. He said, “I moved here to win the Champions League. I was one minute away from lifting the trophy with Atleti. We’ll have to wait and see if I can be the talisman who helps Barca win a second straight title”.
Arda admits he was wrong in Boot throwing incident
When Barcelona played Atletico Madrid last season Arda Turan acted out by throwing a boot at one of the linesmen in the game. Since then he has come out to apologise for the incident.
“Throwing my boot at the linesman was a mistake, I was in the wrong and have learned from it. But I’m a very spirited player on the pitch”.
He had previously joked about the incident saying his teammates were afraid to make fun of him because he would throw boots at them.
The 29-year-old has stated it was his dream as a kid to play for Barcelona one which he now is currently living in real life. Arda will hope to play a crucial role for the Catalans this season as they try to replicate or even better last year’s achievements.
