Turkish footballers conceded three goals from Portugal in the last round (3:0), their coach, the Italian Vincenzo Montella, came under barrage of media and fans of this soccer-temperamental nation, but everything could be forgotten if Turkey tonight in Hamburg (21 p.m.) at least draws against the Czech Republic.
Four points would guarantee Montela's team a place in the round of 16 and erase the ugly memories of the performance at the previous Euro, which the Turks ended with all three defeats and as many as eight goals conceded.
The duel at the "Volksparkstadion" near the coast of the North Sea cannot, however, be looked at one-sidedly - this is a match that means everything to the Czechs!
A win over Turkey would take Ivan Hasek's team straight into the knockout stages. By the start of the game, it will be known whether a draw would suit the Czechs (the chances are minimal), and it will also be known whether a loss to the Czech Republic would in some way take the Turks further.
Many combinations, or potential combinations, but with them and without them - it is clear that a classic "knockout" match is being played.
- After two games we have three points. We played really well against Georgia, Portugal was an opponent we could only beat if we had an exceptional day, but they were very strong. We have another game ahead of us. There are no calculations - we want to win six points and finish second in the group - said Turkish defender, Fenerbahçe player Khan Ayhan.
Montela should bring back fan favourite, 19-year-old Real Madrid prospect Arda Guler, who scored a fantastic goal against Georgia but was surprisingly benched against Portugal.
That, along with the heavy defeat, was the biggest reason why Montela came under fire from the media and the public in Turkey.
- He is our future, he is a born champion and all of us here want to see him play and to see Turkey enter history - 44-year-old Kerem Buruk, an engineer who lives in Hamburg and has tickets for tonight's match, told Reuters. duel.
The Czechs, on the other hand, will most likely go into the decisive match without the first star and top scorer Patrik Šik, who missed the match with Georgia (1:1) due to a calf injury and has not trained since then.
- Patrik spent the last two days mostly at the physiotherapist and doctor. He didn't train. He is recovering, but we will see tomorrow - Czech coach Hasek said at the press conference.
- Chic is our key player, one of the best scorers in Europe. But if he is not able to play, we have to replace him. And we have players who are able to replace him, who are ready and work hard - Hašek added.
The Czechs reached the 1/4 finals at the last Euro and, in general, have a good history of performances in continental competitions. They are the heirs of the country that was the European champion in 1976 (Czechoslovakia), and in 1996 they played in the final.
Tonight, however, they will be eliminated in the group - if they don't win.
- There is positive energy in the team. Some players haven't played until now, they haven't been given the chance and we want to win for them, so that they have more chances to go out on the field and play here - Hašek added.
- I really have great confidence in my team. I think we will show it on the field.
Hašek finally made a point:
- Getting out of the group is a success, not getting out is a failure.
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