Montella Avoids Risk with Arda, Kenan, and Oğuz Near Card Limit
The Turkish National Football Team faced Spain in their final match of the UEFA Euro 2026 qualifying round. Head coach Vincenzo Montella made significant changes to the starting lineup, opting for eight alterations compared to the team that played against Bulgaria. Four of these changes were due to necessity.
Key Adjustments in the Lineup
Montella had to replace several players due to injuries and suspensions. Notably, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, and Abdülkerim Bardakcı were all sidelined because of injuries. Additionally, İsmail Yüksek was suspended, and the trio of Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, and Oğuz Aydın were on yellow card watch, prompting Montella to keep them on the bench.
- Goalkeeper: Altay Bayındır
- Defenders: Zeki Çelik, Samet Akaydin, Merih Demiral (captain), Çağlar Söyüncü, Ferdi Kadıoğlu
- Midfielders: Salih Özcan, Orkun Kökçü, Barış Alper Yılmaz, İrfan Can Kahveci
- Forward: Deniz Gül
Strategic Player Selection
Montella opted to protect his players at risk of receiving yellow cards. Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, and Oğuz Aydın were left out of the starting eleven, ensuring they could be available for future matches.
Notable Debuts
One of the highlights of the match was the debut of Deniz Gül in the starting lineup. The 21-year-old midfielder had previously appeared in four matches for the national team but always entered as a substitute. His promotion reflects Montella’s confidence in younger talent.
Conclusion
With these strategic decisions, Vincenzo Montella aimed to balance youth and experience on the pitch. The changes were essential in preparing the team for upcoming challenges, particularly considering the players on the verge of card suspension. The focus will now shift to ensuring that the squad is ready for their next competitive fixtures.
