19.06.2026 09:21
National Football Team Head Coach Vincenzo Montella harshly responded to criticism directed at him. Montella said, "Even though we need to play better, I want to say this: I feel Turkish. I feel more Turkish than many people who serve this chaos. I don't just say words spoken in press rooms; some people want to create confusion. This doesn't affect me, but it affects the players because they are young, and this situation can upset them."
The Turkish National Football Team will face Paraguay at the Bay Area Stadium in San Francisco on Saturday, June 20, at 06:00 TSİ in their second Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At the press conference held before the match, Turkish National Football Team Head Coach Vincenzo Montella made statements. Stating that Paraguay is good at scoring goals, Vincenzo Montella said, "They achieved the same points as Brazil in the qualifiers, Ecuador was only 1 point behind, Argentina came from behind as well. But Paraguay is really very good at scoring goals, they have very characterful players. Their forwards, their strikers are very good. We have great respect for them. Of course, we have always made some changes, we can do so. The issue here is not to leave players out of the game for tactical reasons or other perspectives. Tomorrow there may of course be some changes, but these changes will only be tactical. Depending on the strategy of the match. Not because a player didn't play and 'he did this in the first match,' but only based on the match strategy."
'WE THINK WE DESERVE A BIT MORE RESPECT'
Montella stated that the players on the national team were negatively affected by some statements, saying, "In the second half of the Australia match, we brought İsmail into play because we knew Australia's counter-attacks; they played almost like making surgical strikes. In the World Cup, we actually obtained 30 shot positions against Australia. Portugal could only achieve this once when playing against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Therefore, when the opposing team comes together with 10 players in the last 25-30 meters, it becomes very difficult to break through. So, you need to shoot from distance, and we were right to do that, but maybe we couldn't do well enough. But every match is different from each other. How you prepare, how you play is different. We have analyzed this match. In some aspects, at some stages, we could have been much better. We could have been especially better in terms of ball possession. We could have eliminated these threats, but from time to time, we also need to accept the changes regarding ball possession. We have clarified all these, and despite quite a bit of chaos, I can say this: there have been repercussions, and I experienced disappointment. Because this team has achieved very good results in the last 3 years, and we think we deserve a bit more respect. Even though we could have played better ourselves. I actually feel like a Turk. I feel much more Turkish than many people who serve this chaos and feed it. It was really followed both in Turkey and abroad. I am not just saying the words said in press rooms, but some individuals are creating confusion. This doesn't affect me; I am older, but it has an impact on the players. Because the players in their 20s, young people, such situations can upset them, cause them pain. I trust them as magnificent football players. We need to do our best to continue playing in this World Cup."
'I LOVE THE ATTITUDE OF THE PLAYERS MORE AFTER A DEFEAT'
The Italian coach, saying that he has created a positive effect on the morale of the players, stated, "I think I have created a positive effect on the morale of the players in the last few days. I always try to persuade them by telling them that their minds should be clear, they should be relaxed. This is not easy, of course, after a defeat. It's not easy to make a comeback after a loss. Therefore, it is completely normal for them to be affected after such serious criticisms, although there were fair criticisms as well. At the same time, it is also part of my job to praise them. But when I look at the public opinion, I see that people definitely find some flaws and mistakes; I am aware of this. I am the head coach of the national team. But of course, they need to relax, to reveal their 100% potential, and manage their mood. They are very qualified players. When you can bring all these conditions together on the field, we have a big dream; there is a responsibility towards the fans, towards the Turkish people, and the players are aware of all this, the last 3 years have shown this. I actually love the attitude of the players more after a defeat. Personally, I think this love should also be given to the players when needed. Not only when matches are won."
'THEY ARE NOT MACHINES OR ROBOTS'
Vincenzo Montella mentioned that the players on the national team were affected by the reactions but were also very eager to step onto the field. Montella said, "I see that the players are very eager to step back onto the field. Because they were hurt; after all, they are not machines or robots. Some reactions being excessive affected them, but I trust myself and them. I hope they can play with as clear minds as possible to achieve the best result after the first whistle blows."
The 52-year-old coach, stating that Paraguay has very physically strong players, continued his words as follows:
"Paraguay is very strong physically, their emotions and character always stand out. Every match is different, so we definitely need to focus on the opposing team, but I prefer to focus on my own team. So that they can be in the best possible conditions and perform better."
'I HOPE TO RECEIVE THIS VICTORY AS A GIFT'
Vincenzo Montella, whose birthday was yesterday, said he wishes to get a victory against Paraguay as a gift. Montella said, "I had always celebrated at home, in my own country for my birthday. I will celebrate my birthday for the second time with my team, with the players. The European Championship and the World Cup are part of it, and I hope to celebrate my next birthday, two years from now, with my football family. I have very beautiful memories regarding my 50th birthday. It was my opening gift at the European Championship and, of course, the players' victory. I hope to receive this victory as a gift the day after tomorrow."
'WE WERE BAKING FROM THE HEAT IN ARIZONA'
Turkish National Football Team Head Coach Vincenzo Montella continued his words as follows:
"There were very good training areas in Arizona, but we were baking from the heat. In the desert heat. Even if we trained at 8 PM, it was very difficult. But when we came to slightly cooler climates, we freshen up a bit. Of course, you cannot change these, and you have to adapt to them."
'WATER BREAKS CAN BE POSITIVE DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION'
Commenting on the water breaks during the match, Montella said, "I was in favor of water breaks before the matches started. In the last matches, there was actually pressure, and a goal was coming. So, when a scoring possibility emerged, and there was a water break, it stopped the game."
{"text":""In some cases, it can also work, so you might consider it positive. It depends on your situation, of course—when that water break comes depends on the current conditions. Therefore, you need to be a bit flexible about this. It can be positive depending on the circumstances, because a water break also gives you an opportunity to communicate with the players," he said.
'NO NEED TO RUIN EVERYTHING JUST BECAUSE WE LOST THE MATCH'
The Italian coach, expressing that the Crescent-Star players need support, said: "Vincenzo Montella: 'I actually love them even more now. Because of course they were disappointed after the defeat, of course we analyzed the game and talked to correct mistakes. But I am ultimately a fair person, I am on the players' side. Because they are the ones who brought us here, these players brought the national team here. Therefore, they also contribute to Turkey being respected as a country all over the world. So the players are doing this. That's why what's happening saddens me and the players even more. And I hope the players can cope with all of this; just as I cope, of course, I am 20-30 years older than them, it might be easier for me, but ultimately the players also need support, they need respect. Because they have already earned that respect. An adverse result—you can have your opinions about how that result came about, but ultimately it is not a game that decides everything, it is not a single match. There is no need to ruin everything, to spoil a whole basket of figs, just because we lost that match. That's what I'm trying to say. We are motivated and ready. I am ready, and the players are ready for the match. Ultimately, we have made you proud of us before, and we are here to do it again,' he stated.
'WE ENSURED THE PLAYERS SPENT A FEW HOURS WITH THEIR FAMILIES'
Montella, stating that they also brought the players' families to the USA, continued his words as follows:
"You cannot disconnect such a generation from social media. That's not possible, I am aware of that. So I focused more on the task ahead. I thought they should focus on what they need to do, and I concentrated on analyzing those matches and making training plans. I don't have much free time. The players have a bit more free time. That's why we brought the families today. We ensured they spent a few hours with their families. They had a very good 2-3 hours. During those 2 hours, we didn't think at all about what we will do on the field tomorrow. I think that was good."
When asked about the possibility of critical group matches starting at the same time, Vincenzo Montella said the following:
"I don't think it changes much. Both we and Paraguay are coming off a loss. So both sides want to win this match. But I agree on this: it is important that the third group match starts at the same time. It doesn't matter much for the second, but it's good for the third. I also don't believe we will settle for a draw because it's unclear what will happen in the third match."
'I KNOW THE PLAYERS VERY WELL'
Montella, stating that he has a very good relationship with every player on the team, said: "One of the duties of a coach is to decide when to intervene in what. I know the players very well, I have a very good relationship with each of them. And that is one of the most important qualities of being a coach."
'IF WE WIN TOMORROW, PEOPLE WILL AGAIN SAY, 'YES, WE MUST BECOME WORLD CHAMPIONS''
Head Coach of the Turkish National Football Team Vincenzo Montella continued his words as follows:
"Even after very historic results, I don't see myself in a certain place thinking 'we achieved a huge success.' I always try to do my best with the team. There are examples of this. People sometimes exaggerate in their assessments. My job is to keep everything balanced. I need to be able to do this both when things are going well and when things are tough. If we win tomorrow, then people will again say, 'Yes, we must become world champions, we must win all competitions,' I am sure of that. All of this is ultimately the character of the Turkish people. We have to continue to be balanced and stay on an even keel no matter what."
'THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO WANT TO BE IN MY PLACE'
When asked how it feels to lead the Turkish National Team in both the European Championship and the World Cup, Montella commented: "I feel very happy, lucky, and privileged. I think there will be, and are, those who want to be in my place, and I am really very excited. There were high expectations at the European Championship. There was also a very nice atmosphere, but of course the World Cup is much bigger, covering the whole world. So these feelings grow even more. These are unforgettable things. Living through them is an unforgettable feeling. I am proud to have brought the national team to both the European Championship and now the World Cup. I think this topic, these types of tournaments, are a constant source of excitement."
'WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MAKE EVERYONE IN TURKEY HAPPY'
The 52-year-old experienced coach, stating they will do everything they can, said: "We continue our struggle. We continue this struggle to fulfill everyone's dream, to make everyone feel proud. So we will do everything we can in the match. Using all the resources and energy we have, we will do our best to make everyone in the country, everyone in Turkey, happy and proud of the team, and to continue their success. Feeling their support is also very important to be able to do this."
'I HADN'T EXPECTED SUCH HARSH CRITICISM'
The Italian coach, stating he hadn't expected such harsh criticism after the Australia match, concluded his words as follows:
"I try to prepare all my players by elevating them to a different level. I pay attention to their mental readiness, especially. Because everything here is experienced on a very large scale. So I try to make them feel strong mentally. There can be very harsh criticism. But I hadn't expected such harsh criticism right after the previous match. I thought there might be some criticism, but I hadn't expected it to be this harsh. However, my experience benefits me. My support and relationships with Giovanni Trapattoni also provide me with important support here. The collaboration, friendship, and close relationship with the players will continue to be important.""}"