Acun blamed Montella for the defeat: We were late in making changes.

The Turkish National Football Team lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Football Championship (EURO 2024) and bid farewell to the tournament. Fenerbahçe Vice President Acun Ilıcalı, who commented on the match, said, "Today our coach performed well overall and I think he was successful. But it seemed like he should have been more inclined to make player changes in a process where there is a match every three days."

"OUR CHILDREN DISPLAYED A TERRIFIC PERFORMANCE"

Fenerbahçe Vice President Acun Ilıcalı, who expressed that the national team displayed a very good performance in the match, said, "We were both proud and sad. Our children displayed a terrific performance today. They played with so much heart and soul that I am very sad because I think we deserved to be in the semi-finals this time. Of course, the ball also needs to favor us in football. Sometimes the ball loves us, sometimes the opponent. Today, I can say that the ball loved the Netherlands. At least we deserved extra time 100%, but it didn't happen," he said.

"TODAY ALLAH GAVE SAMET A BEAUTIFUL DAY"

Ilıcalı, who said that Samet Akaydin played well throughout the tournament, said, "Sometimes I don't understand people. These national children are all of ours. They are patriotic children representing our country. I am amazed to watch the low blows made over the performance of these children. Hopefully, we will always try to motivate our players, knowing that our national team represents all of us. I do not accept criticism of our players in this way. Samet is also a blessing from Allah to him. I read things like 'We won without you' about Samet. I was very upset. Today, Allah gave him a beautiful day. At least for himself. The national team may have lost, but Samet said, 'Here I am.' He played well throughout the tournament," he said.

"WE WERE ALL SAD ABOUT THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY"

Acun Ilıcalı, who stated that Turkish National Football Team coach Vincenzo Montella was late in making changes, said, "We were definitely successful. But I think we were all sad about the missed opportunity. We missed opportunities in a tournament where our national team could have reached a better position. Today, our coach performed well overall and I think he was successful. But it seemed like he should have been more inclined to make player changes in a process where there is a match every three days. Because the children got tired and showed it a bit. We conceded two goals while they were tired. Then the train was missed," he concluded.