Following Turkey’s elimination in the quarter-finals of the 2024 UEFA European Championship after a loss to the Netherlands, head coach Vincenzo Montella addressed the media, praising his team’s performance and encouraging his players, particularly key figures like Calhanoglu and Celik.
In less than a year, Montella has transformed the Turkish national team into a young and dynamic outfit. From bowing out in the group stage at the 2021 Euros and missing out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Turkey advanced to the last eight in Germany, demonstrating significant progress and development.
Commenting on the team’s youngsters, Montella remarked, “As one of the youngest squads in this Euro, we might not have had the benefit of experience. However, we could have performed even better in crucial moments. Our attacking style of play won us many neutral supporters. This is a treasure we must cherish and continue to pursue.”
Looking ahead, Montella added, “In September, we have the Nations League fixtures, followed by World Cup qualifiers. We will approach these matches in top form, continuously improving ourselves.”
Reflecting on the match against the Netherlands, he said, “Despite the elimination, we should be proud of ourselves. We had the chance to go further, with victory almost within reach – that’s the charm and harshness of football.”
Conclusively, Montella confidently stated, “I believe the Turkish national team now has the strength to rank among the top five teams in Europe.”
