Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella says that “the bar has been raised” from previous tournaments when discussing his team’s Euro 2024 prospects.
Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella said that “the bar has been raised” from previous tournaments when discussing his side’s chances of enjoying success at Euro 2024.
The Crescent-Stars have played twice ahead of the European Championship, drawing 0-0 with Italy on June 4, before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland on June 10.
Turkey will begin their Group F campaign against Georgia on June 18, while they will also take on Portugal (June 22) and Czech Republic (June 26) in the group stage of the competition.
The national side will be aiming to advance through the group stage for the first time since 2008, and Montella has discussed his team’s chances of enjoying a successful tournament.
“In my opinion, this competition is more difficult than previous ones because the bar has been raised and even the mid-level teams have improved their level, so the team must do its best and have conviction but absolutely not arrogance,” the 49-year-old told UEFA’s official website.
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Turkey will open their Euro 2024 campaign against Georgia
Turkey will enter Euro 2024 off the back of a five-game winless run in all competitions, including defeats in three of their last four friendlies to Hungary, Austria and Poland.
However, the Crescent-Stars impressed during qualification for this summer’s tournament, finishing at the top of Group D, one point ahead of second-placed Croatia.
“You must believe in your own ideas to be able to convince your players. When you have a single idea that is shared by everyone, that idea is certainly stronger when everyone finds it convincing,” Montella added when discussing his coaching principles.
“I don’t believe there’s a winning plan for everyone, otherwise everybody would use it! So I believe you have to choose a plan according to the characteristics of your players, and that’s the longest and toughest job of all: nurturing your players’ qualities, rather than your own plan of reference or preference.
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Turkey reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008
“Winning our group has been historic for us, because it’s the first time that Turkey has won in the groups both for the EURO and for the World Cup. We’re very pleased to have come top, but I think that from now on another adventure will begin.”
Turkey were handed three injury blows ahead of the tournament, with Enes Unal, Caglar Soyuncu and Ozan Kabak being forced to withdraw from the squad through injury.
Meanwhile, Dogan Alemdar, Cenk Ozkacar, Berat Ozdemir, Can Uzun, Abdulkadir Omur and Oguz Aydin were removed from the initial squad when Montella confirmed his final selection.
Hakan Calhanoglu will captain Turkey this summer, with the 30-year-old set to be a vital player for his country.
Meanwhile, experienced striker Cenk Tosun is the leading goalscorer in the squad, having found the back of the net on 20 occasions in 50 caps.