Türkiye’s Crescent-Stars can be on the new seat once more on Saturday as they face a formidable drive within the face of Portugal, with each groups aiming to high Group F and advance to the Euro 2024 final 16.
Both groups secured most factors on matchday one, with present group leaders Türkiye defeating event newcomers Georgia 3-1, whereas Portugal staged a 2-1 comeback win in opposition to the Czech Republic.
Vincenzo Montella’s males entered Euro 2024 after a five-game winless streak and dropping their opener in every of the final 5 European Championships, however they turned their fortunes round with a trendy victory over Georgia on Monday.
After Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze equalized Mert Müldür’s excellent opener within the first half, Real Madrid’s rising star Arda Güler shone with a memorable Sixty fifth-minute strike, changing into the fifth-youngest scorer in Euros historical past (19 years, 114 days) and the primary teenager to attain on his Euros debut since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu sealed the win for Türkiye with a stoppage-time aim, giving head coach Montella a joyful fiftieth birthday celebration.
Despite the victory, Montella emphasised the necessity for improved accuracy in entrance of aim, noting that Türkiye “won’t always be able to afford to miss so many” possibilities, as they registered simply eight of their 22 photographs on track.
Ranked fortieth by FIFA, the Crescent-Stars have misplaced solely two of their final 15 aggressive video games (W10 D3) and might safe a spot within the final 16 with a win on Saturday.
However, they’ve by no means overwhelmed Portugal on the European Championship, failing to attain in all three encounters.
After cruising by means of Euro 2024 qualifying with an ideal 10-0 file, Portugal confronted a troublesome problem of their Group F opener on Monday when the Czech Republic took a shock lead halfway by means of the second half.
Lukas Provod curled an outstanding long-range strike in off the far put up within the 62nd minute, however Czechia’s lead lasted solely seven minutes. Goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek may solely parry Nuno Mendes’s header in opposition to Robin Hranac, leading to an personal aim.
Portugal secured all three factors with a dramatic 92nd-minute winner from substitute Francisco Conceicao, who scored simply three minutes after making his aggressive debut, echoing his father Sergio Conceicao’s hat trick in opposition to Germany at Euro 2000.
In this memorable victory, each Ronaldo and Pepe broke European Championship information. Manager Roberto Martinez praised his group’s “deserved” win and their robust response after falling behind in a “tough” opening match in opposition to Czechia.
Level on factors with Türkiye on the high of Group F, Portugal have stored just one clear sheet of their final six worldwide matches, elevating slight issues for Martinez.
However, A Selecao needs to be assured of success on Saturday, having gained their final six aggressive conferences with Türkiye, scoring no less than twice in 4 of these encounters.
Türkiye made historical past by changing into solely the second group in European Championship historical past to begin two youngsters, Güler and fellow 19-year-old Kenan Yıldız, and each are anticipated to retain their spots on the flanks in opposition to Portugal.
Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu will possible play a deeper midfield function alongside Kaan Ayhan, although Montella would possibly exchange Ayhan with both Borussia Dortmund’s Salih Özcan or West Bromwich Albion’s Okay Yokuşlu.
While Zeki Çelik and Merih Demiral are vying for spots in protection, the again 4 of Müldür, Samet Akaydın, Abdülkerim Bardakçi, and Ferdi Kadioğlu might stay unchanged. Feyenoord’s Orkun Kokcu can also be more likely to maintain his place within the No. 10 function over Lille’s Yusuf Yazıcı.
For Portugal, Martinez would possibly persist with the 3-4-3 formation used in opposition to the Czech Republic, positioning Nuno Mendes on the left facet of a again three with Pepe and Ruben Dias, whereas Diogo Dalot and Joao Cancelo tackle wing-back roles.
Vitinha, who delivered a man-of-the-match efficiency final time, is anticipated to begin in midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes, leaving Joao Palhinha, Joao Neves, and Ruben Neves on the bench.
At 39, Ronaldo goals to change into the oldest goalscorer in European Championship historical past this weekend and can lead the assault, flanked by Bernardo Silva on the correct and Rafael Leao on the left.
Source: www.dailysabah.com