Turkey manager defends omission of star player Güler from squad.
In the initial encounter against Portugal at the European Championship, coach Vincenzo Montella decided to bench standout player Arda Güler in favor of strategic reasons. During Turkey's opening game against Georgia, Güler, an offensive player, played a crucial role in securing a 3:1 victory by scoring a spectacular goal for the 2:1.
Montella articulated his decision to exclude Güler from the starting lineup against Portugal candidly. "The coach is always the first one to be blamed when we lose," he stated following the 0:3 defeat at the hands of the Iberians. "The media often views those who don't play as the crucial players." Montella further elaborated, "Arda wasn't in top form today; he could manage more than 30 minutes only by taking additional risks."
After waiting until the 70th minute with the score at 0:3, Montella finally substituted Güler. "Given the circumstances, I finally gave in and allowed him to play," conceded the coach. In the match against Georgia, Güler, a Real Madrid player, significantly contributed to the Turkish victory with his dream goal for the 2:1 and received a rousing cheer from the fans. During the Portugal match, the numerous Turkish supporters in the Dortmund stadium vocally cheered for Güler continually.
Facing backlash from Turkey, Montella sought understanding. He aimed to prevent looming rumors of a strained relationship with Güler. "We have an excellent rapport. I don't wish to cause distress," clarified the Turkish coach, who regretted his team's premature exit from the quarterfinals of the EM. "He is a smart man. He is fiercely patriotic and highly honored of his country. Despite knowing the potential risk of injury, he expressed his desire to play."
Turkey must face the "final" contest against the Czech Republic on Wednesday in Hamburg. A draw will guarantee progress. "Although harshly penalized today, it's imperative that we remain positive and focus on the numerous good aspects," Montella affirmed: "We must prepare ourselves for the upcoming game, in which we can genuinely give our all."
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In preparation for the final group stage match against the Czech Republic at the European Football Championship 2024, Turkey's manager expressed the importance of staying positive despite their previous defeat. Güler, a key player for Turkey and Real Madrid, has been a fan favorite, with countless supporters cheering for him even during Turkey's loss to Portugal in the soccer tournament.
