The 50-year-old Italian coach of the Crescent-Stars evaluated the performance of the National Team at EURO 2024 in his statement to Corriere dello Sport, one of his country’s high-circulation sports newspapers.
Montella, who reminded the Turks that they celebrated in the streets after the successful results of the national team, said, Making them happy is a source of pride for me. It is a responsibility I feel towards a country that made me fall in love with it. Players like me feel the same responsibility. It is the Turkish heart that made us beat Austria.” said.
Montella, who recalled that Austria beat them by a score of 6-1 in a friendly match in March, said, Now I can say that I cared about this match in particular. It was not for the sake of taking revenge against Austria, Austria is an opponent I respect a lot, but it was more of a revenge for myself. We are competitive coaches, players, but this stain weighed heavily on my professional career.” he said.
Mert Gunok’s Performance
When asked about the save made by goalkeeper Mert Günok in the final moments of the Austria match, the Italian coach said, This is his profession and he was absolutely brilliant. I am so happy for him.” he made the assessment.
Performances of Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz
In response to a question about Arda Güler, one of the star players of the National Team, Montella said, He had a great match and managed to transform himself. He ran a lot, I have never seen him run like that before, he was working for the team. I am proud of him and congratulate him. I have already conveyed these specifically to him.” he commented.
Regarding Kenan Yildiz’s performance, ” He is strong, has a great technique in terms of speed. It is difficult to do without him, although he needs to manage the moments in the match and the defensive part better. He will learn.” said.
Quarter-Finals Match Against Netherlands
Asked about his thoughts on their opponents, the Netherlands, who will face in the quarter-finals of EURO 2024, Montella said, The excitement of skipping the tour has passed. Now we have to think about the Netherlands” he replied.
Montella reminded that the Netherlands is a tough opponent, he said, We’ll see. Almost all the matches of the European Championship were uncertain until the end. I think the next one will be the same. Everything is possible in football, and even more so in this tournament. But we have to be careful, the tension can deceive us. Just look at how the tension made our life difficult against the Czech Republic in the group” he said.
Career and Transition to Turkey
The Italian coach, who was compared to coaches Fatih Terim and Şenol Güneş, who achieved certain successes with the Turkish National Team, said, ” It makes me proud to be mentioned with names that have written their names in Turkish football history for decades. Fatih and I have a good relationship, there is mutual respect. We met a few months ago. He is from Adana, where I also worked. He worked at Fiorentina, and then I did. Similarly, Milan and the Turkish National Team are the teams I worked at after him. Intersections are our destiny” he said.
Asked whether he was at the peak of his career, Montella said, He stated that winning the Italian Super Cup with Milan in 2016 was a great feeling for him, that not many coaches experience such moments, and that he is currently enjoying working with the Turkish National Team.“
Montella stated that he was in competition with himself, that’s why he came to Turkey 3 years ago and made such a decision because he wanted to test himself here, and that it was not easy, but Turkey is a great country.
