Vincenzo Montella’s Call and Arda Güler Update for the Turkish National Team: “We Will Be Stronger”

Turkey’s National Team head coach Vincenzo Montella made some statements ahead of their match against Iceland.

In a press conference held before the UEFA Nations League clash with Iceland, Montella and Okay Yokuşlu addressed the media.

Here are the key takeaways from the press conference:

Okay Yokuşlu: “We Have an Opportunity”

“Our aim and goal is to win. Matches in our country are always special for us. I hope we can make our fans happy. That’s our sole objective. The previous match ended in a draw, and we had a red card, but that game is behind us now. We have an opportunity ahead of us. Hopefully, in this beautiful city, in front of our fans, we’ll do what’s necessary and take all three points. Personally, I have slightly different emotions. These kinds of matches, especially when played in your hometown, feel special. However, our fans make us feel these emotions wherever we play. Of course, this one will be a bit more special for me.”

“Very Little Time for Rest”

“We have a very talented generation, and our coach plays a big part in this. I can say that the environment is more positive. We’re more organized. After a great tournament, I think these emotions have strengthened. Of course, there will be ups and downs. The friendship and unity within the team are probably visible from the outside. I’m very happy to be part of this group. The busy match schedule is obvious, not just for us but globally. We don’t make the decisions. There’s very little time for rest. After the last match, mentally, we were strained after such a big tournament. The busy schedule undoubtedly strains players mentally, but we need to adapt to the circumstances and give our all in every match.”

Montella: “Iceland is a Compact Team”

“They’re a very solid and compact team. When watching their games, I noticed that the coach’s principles align well with the principles of Italian coaches. They managed to beat England. We respect them. Historically, we see that they’ve been a tough opponent. We haven’t beaten them in nine years. They play as a cohesive unit. While they have individual players, none of them stand out particularly. They’re a team-oriented group. That’s why I won’t name any individual players.”

“We Are Prepared”

“They are dangerous from set-pieces and even throw-ins. We have to be prepared for that. In recent times, every team is working on these types of plays. We are also preparing accordingly.”

“There Should Be a 3-Week Rest Period”

“We’ve discussed this a lot recently, and there’s scientific evidence supporting this. Players who play between 50-60 matches usually need about three weeks of rest. They also need 35-40 days before the season starts. But as you know, there’s been a noticeable difference lately. I expect Iceland to be ahead physically. This is something we need to consider. But this doesn’t mean we don’t want to win. We are preparing accordingly. When making evaluations, if we consider this factor, we can make better judgments.”

“Coaches from Big Teams Have Called”

“Barış Alper Yılmaz had a great tournament. Many coaches from big teams have contacted me. He’s currently unavailable, but our preparations continue as planned. Our other players are ready. Arda took a knock and is dealing with the aftermath. Even if he doesn’t train with the team, we have time to assess the situation. We will evaluate whether he starts the game or comes on later.”

Arda Güler’s Condition

“Arda took a knock at the end of the last game. Yesterday, he couldn’t walk comfortably. Even if he doesn’t train with the team today, we will evaluate him. We’ll decide whether he starts or comes on later.”

Unity is Needed

“The fate of coaches in national teams is like this. Every match feels like a final. However, I want to say this: When the coach gets criticized, I’m more willing to accept it. But when criticism is aimed at the players, I don’t understand it. Maybe I’m not Turkish, but I feel the national pride very deeply. We shouldn’t try to divide the players. We need unity from the outside as well. Unity creates strength. We need unity because our players deserve it. We need to ensure this. I’m not just addressing the people here; I’m also speaking to those commenting from the outside. Unity is always powerful, and together we will be stronger. We need everyone to be united, not just those present but also those who offer opinions from the outside.”