Montella and right-back Zeki Çelik answered the questions of press members at Yüzüncü Yıl Atatürk Stadium, where the match will be played.
National Team Coach Vincenzo Montella stated that they faced Italy in a friendly match two years ago and that this match was truly emotionally impressive.
Stating that he has been in Türkiye for 5 years, Montella said, "I love this country very much and you have always made me feel like one of you. So don't worry, my heart and all my intentions will always fight for you. When I go on the field, I will see nothing but Türkiye. That is why, no matter how hard it is emotionally sometimes, this is sports, this is what we do. That's why when we go on the field tomorrow, my heart will beat only for Turkey." he said.
Montella continued by emphasizing that they will try to have more possession of the ball tomorrow:
"When we look at the last match, our ball possession rate in the first half and second half seems to be maybe 60-40 percent, but it actually changed during the match. Of course, we want to do much more with the ball compared to the last match. We need to be stronger, we are aware of this and we want to reflect the performance we want on the field. As for Orkun Kökçü's situation, I have to say this, I do not have much information about what is being talked about about him because, as you know, I do not like to follow. Recently, he has been playing under anesthesia in the matches in his own club. "He was leaving without training. That's why I want to thank him in front of you. Because he wanted to stay here and he is fighting until the end. Frankly, he did not train fully with us today, but we tried a certain part of the training. We want to see him again as soon as possible."
"If I were a football player, I would be very motivated in such matches." Montella said, "When you play against the best, you don't need a lot of motivation. When you play at this level, when the matches are at this intense tempo, you can inevitably get mentally tired. We are trying to get over it quickly by doing everything we can. I want to thank the players because they show incredible hard work. Despite everything, no matter how close the fixture is, they are trying to implement everything we say in such a convenient way." he said.
-"They do everything they can even if they play in different positions"
Montella reminded that Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Barış Alper Yılmaz have played outside their positions in many matches over the last 3 years. Explaining that they had difficulties in this regard, Montella said:
"These football players are doing everything they can, no matter what, even if they play in different positions. They are trying to fight for the National Team to the end. For example, we have been trying to train Bertuğ Yıldırım for two years, we are trying to focus on him. Sometimes you may need time to solve certain problems. I really have a request from all of you regarding this. Because I had the opportunity to read criticisms about Kerem and Barış a few times. They do not play in their own positions, but they try to do everything. That is why I believe that we should support these football players who fight to the end a little more."
A journalist asked: "Is Berke's path to the national team closed? Or is there a possibility of him returning?" Montella said, "You already know better what happened and the processes. Frankly, I did not receive any phone calls from him. That's why I don't believe it's right to talk about it right now." he replied.
- Zeki Çelik: "I expect a good match"
National football player Zeki Çelik pointed out the results Italy has achieved recently despite being a good team and said:
"Italy is a team that plays disciplined and systematic, and pays attention to everything tactically. I also know the players individually. They will give us difficulties tomorrow. They will cause difficulties in the set pieces, and we will pay attention to this and hopefully win the match tomorrow. I played in Bursa for 8 years. I spent valuable time in the infrastructure. If I am here today, it is thanks to Bursaspor. I always dreamed of playing in this stadium. Our fans are very supportive whenever I come here. My friends are also enchanted. I think "Our team is going through the adaptation process very well. We performed well in the match against France, we just couldn't score a goal. We showed the necessary fight in that match as well. I trust my team."
Çelik answered the question regarding Kenan Yıldız's injury process: "Kenan is very sorry that he cannot come here. It will be a 3-month injury period. He is a very high-quality and star player. His absence from the team affects us, but our other friends are covering for him and doing everything they can." he replied.
