SOCCER: My players are real men, says Turkey coach Montella ahead of Kosovo showdown

Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella has praised his squad as “real men” ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying playoff final in Kosovo.

“As I speak these words, which are very important to me and come from my heart, my first thought is: our footballers are real men,” Montella said at a Monday news conference.

The former AS Roma forward, who became Turkey’s head coach in 2023, has guided the team through a challenging period, helping them qualify for Euro 2024 and now on the brink of reaching the World Cup for the first time in 24 years.

“I took over as head coach during a very difficult period. My players have supported me. They have always been a fighting group,” Montella added. “They know that it’s not just their own names written on their backs. It’s the names of millions of Turkish people and children.”

Turkey faces a formidable challenge in Pristina, where Kosovo is seeking its first-ever World Cup appearance after a 4-3 semi-final win over Slovakia last week.

“Everyone feels the pressure. This is a final. We haven’t been there for 24 years, but most of our players weren’t even born then,” Montella said. “If we couldn’t go for 24 years, it’s not their fault. This time we want to go, and we will do our best for our country.”

Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu echoed the sentiment. “There’s one match left to reach the World Cup. It’s not about quality; whoever plays with more heart will win. We’re aware of that and we’re ready,” he said. “I remember our first match against Kosovo. They are very strong and have good players.”

Montella, already highly respected in Turkish football, has revived the national side’s fortunes and could achieve hero status if Turkey wins on Tuesday.

“I carry in my heart the fact that this country treated me like one of its own. From day one until today, I have felt the support of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF),” he said. “The culture that raised me and the culture I encountered in Turkey are incredibly similar. I can think like a Turk. I eat like a Turk. I act like a Turk. That’s why I feel like a Turk.”

-Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters