Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella has announced his 30-man squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League A match against Italy. Seven players, including goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır and defender Adil Demirbağ, have been omitted from the selection.
Çakır's absence is due to a red card received in last week's match against France. Midfielder Orkun Kökçü, who missed that game through injury, makes his return to the squad. The 25-year-old's comeback bolsters Montella's options in the centre of the park.
THE SELECTED PLAYERS
Salih Özcan, Demir Ege Tıknaz and İsmail Yüksek are among the midfielders called up. The attacking line features Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Arda Güler, Can Uzun and Barış Alper Yılmaz. The goalkeeping duties will fall to Altay Bayındır, Muhammed Şengezer or Okan Kocuk.
The defence is built around experienced figures like Zeki Çelik, Merih Demiral and Ferdi Kadıoğlu. Reviewing the team's recent fixtures, defensive adjustments are anticipated following a 4-1 defeat to Italy just last week. In their last five official matches, the team has recorded two wins, one draw, and two defeats, scoring 8 goals and conceding 9 in the process.
Speaking after the squad announcement, Montella shared his motivation. "I love this country very much and you have always made me feel like one of you," the coach said. He added, "That's why when we step onto the pitch, I will have a heart that beats only for Turkey."
Defender Zeki Çelik assessed the upcoming opponent. "Italy are a team that plays with a system," Çelik stated.
Following this key Nations League fixture, Turkey travel to face Belgium on 2 October.
This story first appeared at Transfermarkt
