Sussex Close In On Victory Despite Emilio Gay's Fighting Fifty
LEIPZIG, Germany, July 1 (Reuters) - Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella knows that without his captain Hakan Calhanoglu and defender Samet Akaydin he will have to work wonders with his lineup in their last-16 clash on Tuesday against an Austria team he believes is the best at Euro 2024.
Turkey's last outing was a hot-tempered group game against the Czech Republic that saw Montella's men receive a whopping 11 bookings - and Calhanoglu and Akaydin suspended for Tuesday for their accumulation of yellow cards.
"I always want everyone available for selection," Montella said. "We'll be without two players, they're irreplaceable. Of course it does bother me a little bit ... but I do believe that there will be players who are ready to step in and do their job."
Montella pointed to his team's offensive output in the group stage as a reason for optimism. They scored five goals -- joint third-best at the tournament -- from five different players. None were own goals or penalties. Turkey were also third in total shots, averaging 16.67 per game.
"So I think in possession we're doing excellently, we're doing excellently in front of goal as well," Montella said.
Still, the former Roma striker knows what a formidable foe Austria are. They thrashed his side 6-1 in a friendly in March and topped a European Championship group containing France, the Netherlands and Poland.
"They're a complete team, they're perhaps the best team as a team unit, they're a team that presses very aggressively high up the pitch very consistently, they're excellent in transition," Montella said.
"They remind me of a club team because they're able to recognise all different match situations," he added.
Montella will be hoping for another big game from "the Turkish Messi" Arda Guler, who became the youngest player to score on his Euro debut at 19 years and 114 days, an accolade previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He's a very talented player. And that's there for all to see," Montella said. "Of course, there are certain areas of his game that he needs to improve, but it's difficult to leave him out because as you see on the training ground, when you see those that take shots and score goals, he's amongst the best of the lot.
"When you are playing without Arda, you feel his absence."
Turkey, who reached the Euro 2008 semi-finals in their best run yet, arrived in Germany optimistic about going deep again.
But after beating Georgia 3-1 they were thumped 3-0 by Portugal and struggled to beat the 10-man Czech Republic 2-1 in their group stage finale. All three matches were highly charged.
Turkey defender Mert Muldur, speaking after the team's walkabout on the Leipzig Stadium pitch on Monday, is optimistic the team will be roared on by a huge crowd on Tuesday night.
"As soon as we stepped out onto the pitch each one of the players, we were all thinking what kind of an atmosphere we will have," Muldur said. "In previous games, we've been very well-loved and supported by our supporters. And hopefully, it'll be the same tomorrow, we'll go through similar emotions."
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Air Jordan 1 High Black White Cool Grey Release Date 2022 1 Pngtree Black And White 2024 Banner Vector Png Image 13455406 71114274093 4234db70 Ccf0 42cf B3db D57c474b377d Jpeg.1160472024 QX80 EXT 2 321ad2b21e89eb56de437839f3eff191.webpNew Year 2024 From White Dotted Lines On Black Background Vector 2024 Year Large Wooden Numbers Overlapping Hardwood Characters On A Black Background 2F373E4 1690391655012 990109 Pngtree Black 2024 Vector Png Image 257196 28614576 0 Black 2024 New Year 856889 1391 Pngtree New Year 2024 Black Background Image 1493185 2024 Black Silhouette Vector 45256623 Pngtree Black 2024 New Year Png Image 8620036 Pngtree 2024 Black White Vector Png Image 13455414 Class Of 2024 Black 2RGGE14 Pngtree 2024 Black Shiny Glowing Numerals Vector Png Image 9117914 2024 Number Icon Happy New 260nw 1249309822 Transparent Hd Creative Black 2023 Text Logo Numbers 11663708993nak7mnnxhc Pngtree Black And White 2024 Png Image 9155699 Png Transparent 2023 Happy New Year Maxresdefault Pngtree 2024 Black Gold Fireworks Bloom New Years Eve Festival Background Picture Image 1998750 2023 Calendar Typography Template Elegant Flat Black White Numbers Leaves Decor 6925569.webpPngtree 2023 Black And White Brush Art Word Background Picture Image 1971075 Png Clipart Calendar 2023 New Year Time Circles Dots Geometric Typography Abstract 346c169b0bb0877e1b54637e450cd7e1 1000 F 556870416 UhWMLR4MZuC5gF8KT4OYz8jOTt1fWMLY 2024 Logo Text Design Black Number 2024 On White Background Design Template Typography Greeting Card Celebration Banner For Happy New Year 2R9145C Pngtree 2023 Black And White Batik Pattern Png Image 240653 Number 2023 870x580 2023 Black And White Silhouette Logo Concept Vector 40869176 Clase 2023 Gorro Graduacion 595252 213 ?w=360Happy New Year Design Template Modern Calendar Invitations Cards Prints Greeting Holidays Flyers 179107639 2023 Trends Read Black White 600w 2287593677