It stays to be seen whether or not Türkiye’s rising star Arda Güler returns to beginning 11 for the ultimate Euro 2024 group match in opposition to the Czech Republic after he was solely a late substitute in opposition to Portugal.
Real Madrid’s Güler, 19, scored the essential 2-1 lead within the opening 3-1 over Georgia with a shocking purpose which made him the youngest scorer in a Euros debut match and earned him the Man of the Match distinction.
But he solely got here on for the final 20 minutes on Saturday when Portugal had already accomplished their scoring in a 3-0 victory after many followers within the Dortmund stadium had chanted his identify.
Coach Vincenzo Montella had already steered on the eve of the match that Güler could not begin due to fatigue.
He mentioned post-match that “Arda wasn’t match to play greater than half-hour with out rising the danger of choosing up an harm.
“In the end, I gave in and let him on. When you play once every four days it’s a different sport, so you need a turnover of players,” he mentioned.
Montella mentioned he was not shocked he needed to defend his choice to not have Güler within the beginning 11, saying that “the coach is always the first enemy when you lose.”
“Those who don’t play are, of course, often the more important players for the media,” he mentioned.
Montella and his employees will monitor Güler’s health forward of the ultimate sport Wednesday in opposition to the Czechs the place Türkiye want a draw to succeed in the final 16, and insisted that their relationship was intact.
“We have a great relationship. He is a smart guy,” Montella mentioned.
“He is very passionate about his country, he is very proud of his country. Even though he knew he was risking injury, he wanted to play.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com