Sports Columnists Evaluate Italy-Turkey Match and National Team
Following the Turkish National Football Team's 3-1 defeat away to Italy, Turkish sports writers discussed the blame for the match, managerial choices, and the overall football crisis.
The Turkish National Football Team suffered a 3-1 defeat away against Italy in the UEFA Nations League A, leaving the group with their fourth consecutive loss. Following the match, columnists discussed the national team's performance, head coach Vincenzo Montella's tactical choices, and the administrative and sporting crises in Turkish football.
The National Team's Defeat Against Italy and Its Consequences
The Turkish National Football Team lost 3-1 away to Italy in the UEFA Nations League A, suffering defeats in all four matches played in the group and demonstrating that they are going through a difficult period.
Uğur Meleke drew attention to the seriousness of the situation, stating that 4 matches were played in 11 days, 260 minutes out of 360 minutes were spent trailing, and 11 goals were conceded.
Vincenzo Montella's Choices and Criticisms
While columnists criticized Vincenzo Montella for trying different formations and squad structures across 4 matches, some stated that the coach was a prisoner of his past successes.
Mehmet Ayan expressed in his columns that unusual formations reminiscent of a 3-4-3 were preferred and that certain player combinations on the field fell short.
Squad Deficiencies and Fighting Spirit
Ömer Üründül stated that the absence of key names such as Hakan, Kenan, and Orkun caused problems for the team, yet the fighting spirit shown in the France and Italy matches was positive.
Turgay Demir criticized conceding 3 goals despite displaying one of the better away performances and emphasized that the Italian coach was late with his player substitutions.
Administrative Crises and the State of Turkish Football
Halil Özer drew attention to scandals in football management, reminding that the Central Referee Board (MHK) president is currently in custody and facing charges of forgery and mobbing.
Ahmet Çakar argued that Turkish football has never hit rock bottom this much, with referees and MHK members being arrested, and that Montella continuing in his post would be harmful.
Scoring Troubles and Defensive Vulnerabilities
Zeki Uzundurukan stated that while conceding 11 goals in 4 matches, only 2 were scored, meaning there must be a clear accountability for the failure and radical decisions are essential.
Murat Özbostan emphasized that the vulnerable and fragile image in League A is completely unacceptable and that the Turkish Football Federation must make a decision regarding this situation.