Vincenzo Montella: “I’m Trying to Do My Best with the Squad”
Our National Football Team started the UEFA Nations League B Group with one point and will host Iceland in their second match. Ahead of the game, the head coach of “Bizim Çocuklar” (Our Boys), Vincenzo Montella, shared his thoughts on the upcoming clash and his approach to the team.
Montella’s Statements Before the Iceland Match
“We know we are at a very important point in history. We are aware of how our nation fought here in the past. We are ready, enthusiastic, and here to make everyone happy. I feel very happy when I see all our players. I know our fans will give us a lot of strength in this beautiful atmosphere,” said Montella.
He added, “I’m trying to do my best with the squad. We try to select the best by monitoring our players’ forms and spending time with them. We are all ready. We will be on the field to get the result we want.”
Turkey vs. Iceland: UEFA Nations League B Group
In their second match of the UEFA Nations League B Group 4, Turkey will face Iceland in Izmir tomorrow. This game will mark the 633rd match in the history of the Turkish National Football Team. Over 101 years, Turkey has played a total of 632 matches, with 347 official and 285 friendly matches. The team has 245 wins (one by default), 149 draws, and 238 losses.
The Turkish National Team has played 271 matches away, 272 in Turkey, and 89 on neutral ground. They have scored 861 goals, including three wins by default, and conceded 905 goals.
Turkey’s Historical Matches and Records
The national team has faced 91 different countries in 632 matches, including 548 against European teams, 34 against Asian teams, 24 against African teams, 23 against American teams, and 3 against teams from Oceania.
Forfeited Win Against Greece and Kosovo Match
The only default win for Turkey in 632 matches was against Greece. The friendly match between Turkey and Greece on November 17, 2015, at Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium ended 0-0. Six months later, FIFA awarded the match to Turkey 3-0 due to Greece fielding an ineligible player. The friendly match played against Kosovo on May 21, 2014, in which Turkey won 6-1, was not counted since Kosovo was not a member of UEFA or FIFA at that time.
15th Match Under Vincenzo Montella
Turkey will play its 15th match under Italian coach Vincenzo Montella against Iceland. Turkey won the first three matches with Montella in charge but failed to win the next five. The Turkish National Team ended their winless streak by defeating Georgia in the first match of EURO 2024.
Under Montella’s management, Turkey has played 14 matches—9 official and 5 friendly—achieving 6 wins, 5 losses, and 3 draws. The team scored 19 goals and conceded 20.
Turkey’s first match under Montella was a 1-0 victory against Croatia away. In the second match, Turkey defeated Latvia 4-0 in Konya. In the third match, Turkey secured a 3-2 victory over Germany away. In their fourth match, Turkey drew 1-1 against Wales away. The first loss under Montella came with a 1-0 defeat to Hungary away, followed by a heavy 6-1 defeat to Austria. In friendly matches in June, Turkey drew 0-0 with Italy and lost 2-1 to Poland after conceding a last-minute goal.
In the first match of EURO 2024, Turkey defeated Georgia 3-1 with goals from Mert Müldür, Arda Güler, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu. Turkey lost 3-0 to Portugal in the second group match but secured a 2-1 victory against the Czech Republic in the third match to advance to the Round of 16. Turkey then defeated Austria 2-1 in the Round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals but was eliminated after a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands.
In the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League, Turkey played to a goalless draw against Wales in their first match away.
