The Türkiye National Football Team was defeated 3-1 by Montenegro in their final match of the UEFA Nations League B League, Group 4. This loss ended Türkiye’s hopes of advancing to League A, though they still have a chance to continue in the Nations League through the Play-Off route.
However, the performance during the match, the substitutions made, and Coach Vincenzo Montella’s decisions have drawn heavy criticism from both the media and football experts.
‘Importance of Nations League was overlooked’
Sports journalist Ugur Meleke criticized Türkiye’s approach to the Nations League following the loss to Montenegro. He emphasized that the importance of these matches in terms of World Cup qualification was not fully understood.
“It seems like we’re playing these games just for ranking, but the Nations League is crucial for World Cup qualification. Advancing to League A would give us a significant advantage in qualifying for the World Cup,” Meleke stated.
He also pointed out that a win against Montenegro was crucial not just for promotion to League A but also for securing a play-off spot for the 2026 World Cup.
“If we had beaten Montenegro, we would have risen to 18th place in the Nations League standings, almost certainly guaranteeing a World Cup Play-Off spot. Unfortunately, both the players and the coaching staff ignored this opportunity,” Meleke noted, expressing disappointment that the match was not treated with the seriousness it deserved.
‘Why didn’t Türkiye bring on attackers with 3 strikers on bench?’
Former national player and coach Tolunay Kafkas was critical of Montella’s tactical choices, particularly regarding his substitutions. “With three strikers on the bench, why didn’t we bring in attacking players? The game demanded it. Even after going 3-1 down, Montella didn’t make any offensive substitutions. The team needed someone who could hold the ball and make a difference,” Kafkas argued.
Kafkas also pointed to Enes Unal’s strong performance in the previous match, saying, “Enes played very well, but why bring Semih Kilicsoy into this game? If you plan to bring him on, then don’t bring him at all. If you’re not going to use him, he shouldn’t be in the squad,” Kafkas said, criticizing Montella for failing to make bold and necessary changes.
‘Türkiye showed D League performance, not A-League’
Former national player Nihat Kahveci expressed his frustration with Türkiye’s performance against Montenegro. “I don’t remember ever being this angry. Yes, the pitch conditions were poor, but they were the same for both teams. The conditions were tough, with rain, yet Montenegro managed to score three goals. The football we played wasn’t A-League football; it looked more like D-League football,” he said, sharply criticizing the quality of Türkiye’s game.
“We’re in a worse situation than losing to the Faroe Islands. We’re not even close to being able to compete at the A-League level. How did we allow Montenegro to score three goals?” Kahveci, questioned, pointing out concerns about Türkiye’s ability to compete internationally.
Kahveci also criticized Montella for not giving Semih Kilicsoy a chance. “You’re 3-1 down, and you don’t bring Semih Kilicsoy on for even a minute?” he remarked.
Kahveci, who noted that Semih had not been given many opportunities previously, questioned why Montella didn’t make use of him.
“If you were going to bring Semih into the game, you should have done it earlier. If you didn’t want to cause controversy over his inclusion, he shouldn’t have been in the squad at all,” Kahveci said.
Montella’s post-match comments spark backlash
After the defeat, Türkiye’s head coach, Vincenzo Montella, defended his team but faced criticism for his comments. “The pitch was in such poor condition that we struggled to stay on our feet on the sidelines. I praise my players for their efforts despite the hard conditions. However, we didn’t get the result we wanted,” Montella said.
He attributed the loss partly to the conditions, saying, “We knew the match wouldn’t be easy, but we fought until the end. The opponent was slightly better, and that’s why we lost,” he explained.
Montella also addressed the physical condition of his players, many of whom were carrying injuries. “Many players arrived with injuries, and some weren’t fully fit. However, this doesn’t mean we should ignore our overall performance. Over the past year, everyone has seen how competitive we’ve been,” Montella stated.
“We could have improved our physical fitness, but that would have conflicted with my football philosophy,” he added.
Montella’s future in doubt
Montella’s comments and tactical decisions have led to discussions about his future as head coach of the Turkish national team. Both former players and commentators criticized Montella’s lack of preparation and his failure to make the right decisions during the match.
Some observers suggested that the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) may consider a change in leadership.
While some supporters of Montella argued that more patience is needed for his long-term vision of Turkish football, others feel that continued mistakes could lead to his dismissal. The TFF’s next steps will be crucial in determining both Montella’s future and the national team’s chances in future international competitions.
Türkiye’s 3-1 loss to Montenegro has not only ended their hopes of promotion to League A but also damaged their chances of securing a playoff spot for the 2026 World Cup. The performance, coaching decisions, and player choices have raised serious concerns about the direction of Turkish football.
For the team to compete successfully on the international stage, a more strategic and proactive approach is needed.
The TFF’s forthcoming decisions will determine both Montella’s future and Türkiye’s prospects in upcoming international tournaments.
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