A match with the Czech Republic? A draw is enough, but we want to win, said captain Calhanoglu. The Turks will play without two mainstays of the starting lineup

Turkey is still not certain to qualify from the group stage. Just like for Ivan Hašek’s team, Wednesday’s opponent of the Czech Republic is a crucial match. However, the Turks have a better position in Group F. How do team captain Hakan Calhanoglu and coach Vincenzo Montella see the match against the Czech national team?

Second place in Group F, three points, one win, one loss and an unfavourable score of 3:4. This is the record of the Turkish national team after two group stage matches at this year’s European Championship in Germany.

The Turks beat Georgia quite convincingly at the beginning of the group. They scored two beautiful goals in their first match at this Euro – one by Mert Müldür, the other by Arda Güler. Kerem Aktürkoglu scored the clincher to make it 3-1 in the second half.

Even though it was only 1:1 with Georgia at half-time, the Turks were much better off. Moreover, the head referee, after consulting the video referee, disallowed Kenan Yildiz’s goal.

However, it was a different story with Portugal. In the opening 20 minutes Turkey created some promising opportunities, but then it was the Portuguese who took the initiative.

The Turks scored twice in the first half. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring in the 21st minute and seven minutes later Samet Akaydin scored a curious own goal. After the change of sides, Bruno Fernandes scored again and the Turks lost to Portugal 0:3.

Abdulkerim Bardakci, a stopper, was ruled out for the match against the Czech Republic. The injured own goal scorer Akaydin should not play either. But the fact remains that Turkey only need a draw to advance. What did Hakan Calhanoglu and coach Vincenzo Montella have to say about the upcoming clash with the Czech team?

Calhanoglu and Montella ahead of Czech…

“Against Portugal we lacked a bit of courage at some stages, but that happens with players who have no experience of such a big tournament. Portugal punished us, but we have to be positive and draw on the many good things we did. In the match against the Czech Republic we can put everything on one card,” Montella said at the press conference.

“We will play the way we are used to. We will definitely not change our style of play. Yes, a draw may be enough, but we want to win. We don’t want to just calculate. We have to go into the game with a cool head and confidence,” he continued.

“Against the Czech Republic we need a draw, but we would like to win. We will face a fresh, strong and hard-working opponent. But we are a team used to overcoming difficulties and we will cope with it,” added Turkey captain Calhanoglu.

Source: EURO 2024, UEFA