Türkiye national team head coach Vincenzo Montella and national team player Arda Güler answered questions at a press conference held ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Belgium.
Montella said he considered some of the criticism directed at the players following the recent poor results unfair. The Italian coach said he could accept criticism aimed at him because he focused on his work, but noted that he was uncomfortable with the players being targeted.
Our players carried us to this level. They took us to the World Cup, performed well at the European Championship and helped us reach League A. If someone needs to be held responsible, you can direct that at me.
Montella assesses League A ahead of Belgium match
Assessing Mark van Bommel's appointment in Belgium after Rudi Garcia, Montella said he had not seen major tactical differences between the two coaches. Montella said they would face Belgium, who are eighth in the FIFA rankings and have a strong squad, and added that performance in League A was more important than the results.
Montella said they had not yet become accustomed to competing in League A and needed to develop that habit. Noting that three of the four teams promoted to League A each season are relegated, the coach said they wanted to win but should not place pressure on the players to win every match.
Montella said the first half of the match against Italy did not reflect the team, while they showed a good reaction in the second half. He added that the right performance would also bring results. The coach said he favored giving young players opportunities but stressed that they needed to be gradually integrated into the team.
Montella said the matches played by the national team were as difficult as a World Cup semifinal. He noted that the unavailable players included a footballer who had played in two Champions League finals over the previous three years, as well as Kenan and Orkun, and said he did not want to assess the team through the absent players.
Montella: I went through a painful summer
Montella said he was not concerned about the national team's direction, noting that in football it was sometimes possible to play well without achieving the desired result. Saying they had experienced a similar period during the World Cup campaign, the coach said the summer had been painful for him both in football and in terms of his family.
Montella said the president of the Turkish Football Federation had not left him alone during this process, which was why he had not felt alone. The coach acknowledged that they had raised expectations considerably and said they were working to address their shortcomings, adding that assessments of the players should be balanced.
Montella said the national team players were trying to represent Türkiye in the best possible way and that he was the first person to warn players when they made mistakes. Recalling that the players had made important contributions over three years during the journey to the European Championship, the World Cup and League A, Montella said they needed to receive more support.
Montella speaks about Enes Ünal and Can Uzun
Montella said UEFA Nations League matches served as preparation for the European Championship qualifiers and noted that Enes Ünal had begun to regain his rhythm after two serious injuries. Montella said Ünal needed to join the national team fully ready and without being rushed, adding that they were monitoring him closely.
Montella said Can Uzun had played in the previous two matches and struggled in the latest one, adding that young players should not be discarded after a single poor performance. The coach stressed that footballers needed time and opportunities.
Arda Güler: I think I can handle the pressure
Arda Güler said they wanted to put in a strong team performance against Belgium and leave the field with a good result. Arda said the expectations placed on him did not create pressure he could not handle, adding that the public and his teammates trusted him and that he trusted them as well.
Arda said success should not be expected from him alone and that they were fighting as a team. The national team player said they had shown a good reaction in the second half against Italy and competed on equal terms against France, adding that the team could achieve good results if it demonstrated its quality.
Assessing the team's single victory in its last five matches, Arda said some things might have been done incorrectly but noted that they had faced strong opponents. He said they wanted to come together again and begin a winning run.
Arda said Thibaut Courtois's absence from the match could not be considered an advantage, adding that the goalkeeper replacing him would also do his best. Arda also said that after the France match, he had exchanged shirts with Kylian Mbappe, discussed the game and chatted with him.
