Vincenzo Montella has admitted Turkey face a major tactical challenge in the Nations League with key stars Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz sidelined through injury.
Key Highlights
- Hakan Calhanoglu, Kenan Yildiz and Mert Muldur are all unavailable for Turkey's upcoming Nations League fixtures.
- Montella admitted that Turkey will not be the same side without Calhanoglu and Yildiz.
- The manager backed Juventus star Kenan Yildiz to become one of the world's top players, comparing his potential to Alessandro Del Piero.
- Montella expects an emotional reunion with Italy and former Sampdoria team-mate Roberto Mancini.
Turkey suffer major injury blow before Nations League
Turkey will enter their upcoming Nations League campaign without two of their most important attacking players, with Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz both sidelined.
Defender Mert Muldur is also unavailable, leaving Vincenzo Montella with difficult decisions to make as Turkey prepare to face some of Europe's strongest nations. The absence of established players means younger members of the squad will be pushed into demanding competitive matches earlier than expected.
"Without Calhanoglu and Yildiz, it's not the same Turkey," Montella admitted. "Initially, Muldur will also be missing. It will be a test for the new players, although with four matches, everything inevitably becomes more difficult."
With Turkey set to face elite opposition, Montella will need his younger players to adapt quickly while maintaining the team's tactical discipline.
Montella backs Yildiz to become world-class star
Despite Yildiz's absence, Montella remains convinced that the Juventus attacker has the talent to reach the very top of the game. The 21-year-old has impressed his manager with his technical ability and versatility, particularly his tendency to start from wide areas before cutting inside to create danger.
Montella drew comparisons with Italian great Alessandro Del Piero, while noting that Yildiz's position can continue to evolve as his career develops.
"Kenan Yildiz will become one of the world's top players," Montella said. "Even when Ale started, comparisons with Baggio were rife. He has the talent; he has the potential of a great player."
The Turkey boss added that Yildiz does not necessarily need to operate as a traditional number 10 to influence games.
"Perhaps today Kenan isn't a classic number 10, but at that age, you transform, and you can play as a number 10 even starting from the wing and cutting inside."
Emotional Italy reunion awaits Montella
The Nations League will also bring an emotional reunion for Montella when Turkey face Italy twice in the upcoming schedule.
The Turkey boss has a personal connection with the fixture after playing alongside Roberto Mancini at Sampdoria. Montella admitted that facing Italy will be particularly difficult emotionally, even though he would have welcomed the chance to face many of his former colleagues.
"I would have liked to face all of them, but not Italy, let alone twice in a few days. I'll be very emotional, I know," Montella said.
The former Italy international also backed Mancini to help lead the national team back to the top, pointing to his experience and knowledge of the game.
"I played with Mancini at Samp; there's esteem, respect, and affection. I believe in him; he has the experience and knowledge to bring Italy back to the top. He's the right person."
Turkey face stern test against Europe's elite
Before the two meetings with Italy, Turkey will begin their Nations League Group A1 campaign against France. Montella acknowledged the scale of the challenge, particularly with his squad missing several key players. He highlighted France's depth and quality while suggesting that the two matches against Italy could produce closely contested encounters.
"France has a quality and a pool of players that is unmatched by others," Montella said. "They have renewed enthusiasm with Zidane, but it won't be easy for them either."
"As for the two matches against Italy, I hope they will be very balanced."
With Calhanoglu, Yildiz and Muldur unavailable, the upcoming fixtures will give Montella an early test of his squad depth. For Turkey's younger players, it will also be an opportunity to step up against some of Europe's strongest opposition.
