Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella sends Wales warning ahead of final Euro 2024 qualifier
- Planet Sport writer
- 20 November 2023
Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella has warned Wales that his players are determined not to relinquish top spot in their Euro 2024 qualifying group.
Wales must overcome Turkey in Cardiff on Tuesday, while hoping Croatia fail to beat Armenia, in order to secure the second automatic qualifying spot in Group D.
But Turkey, who qualified for a third successive European Championship last month, need a point to win the section as defeat would see Croatia leapfrog them with a Zagreb victory.
“We have come all this way to Cardiff prepared,” former Italy striker Montella said at his pre-match press conference.
“We have come here top of this group and that is the way we want to finish it.
“We want to maintain this leadership and we are focused on what we have to do, show our standing and our performance levels.”
Montella did, however, provide some comfort for Welsh fans hoping that Armenia can prevent Croatia from winning their final qualifier.
He said: “We also drew at home to Armenia, so nothing is certain in football.”
Montella was only appointed two months ago and the 49-year-old Italian will be defending a 100 per cent record as Turkey head coach in Cardiff.
In October, Turkey won 1-0 away to Croatia and beat Latvia 4-0 at home to secure Euro 2024 qualification and, on Saturday, Germany were beaten 3-2 in a Berlin friendly.
Having succeeded the German Stefan Kuntz, who oversaw Turkey’s 2-0 home win over Wales in June, Montella said: “I had two years of experience managing in Turkey (Adana Demirspor) and I’ve seen the players there.
“I’ve seen the potential and the performance. I had the chance to get to know them and now this opportunity to work with them.”
Midfielder Emre Akbaba has withdrawn from the squad after sustaining a knee injury against Germany.
But Montella has confidence in the depth of his squad, saying: “When I first prepared for these games we had 29 players and all were fit to play.
“I had to exclude some through injury and some different situations.
“But I believe in these players and, depending on the game and situations, we have different strategies in plan for each match.”
