Berlin: After being destroyed by the same opponents in a friendly in March, Turkey’s coach Vincenzo Montella remarked that their 2-1 victory to advance to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals was very meaningful.
With both goals in Leipzig, Merih Demiral emerged as the surprising hero as Turkey advanced to the quarterfinals of a major competition for the first time since Euro 2008. After losing 1-6 to Austria earlier in the season, Montella and his team had a cathartic victory.
“We received harsh criticism for the favorable outcomes. The match against Austria was the pinnacle of their poor performance, Montella told reporters.
“My career was severely tarnished by it. I was waiting for the crew to help me get rid of this burden. Like athletes, coaches too have a competitive nature, and I have the intense drive to change this outcome. Throughout my coaching career, I have never lost by this scoreline, so this wasn’t me getting even, but rather me making things right.
In what promises to be an intense atmosphere in Berlin on Saturday, Turkey takes on the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Nearly three million people of Turkish heritage reside in Germany, and Montella’s team has received overwhelming support in each of the team’s first three tournament games.
