Speaking at the press conference, the captain of Türkiye, Hakan Calhanoglu he commented on the bad result obtained yesterday against Portugal, a match won by the Portuguese 3-0. “The Portugal match is not the end of the world” said the Inter player. “We had the goal from the beginning to qualify and we still have this chance. Yesterday we didn’t get the result we wanted, but nothing is over yet. We have another match. Our team believes in it. Things happened during the match which we didn’t want, a bit of bad luck happened. Things that happen in football. The important thing is that our team still believes in it. We talked about it after the match. We look ahead, we hope to go to the round of 16.”
The Inter midfielder has come under criticism for his performances below expectations, but his response on the matter is immediate:
“It happens that you receive criticism in football. It happens because you are in the spotlight. I am happy with my performances. I am trying to satisfy the coach’s wishes. The problem is not me, but the national team. We are making an effort, I receive more criticism, I don’t listen at all, if I had listened I wouldn’t have come here and I wouldn’t have had this career. While our coach talks to me, other fans are talking. But it’s up to him to make an analysis whether I’ll play or not I receive the most criticism especially in Turkey. I have not experienced this feeling in Italy and Germany. I don’t know why this is the case.”
But is there a low level in the Turkish national team?
“I don’t know how many matches each player has played. It depends from player to player. This doesn’t just happen now, this low level has always existed in the national team in general. It happens inevitably, these things happen in football. In general we are emotional as a country. Portugal is a strong team. They have quality players. If you look at the tournament, Spain and Germany are the favourites. We could have beaten Portugal 1-0 or 2-0 and we lose concentration this aspect”.
A comment also on the episode of the unfortunate own goal of the Portuguese 2-0:
“We talk on the pitch, but sometimes you can’t hear it because of the noise. Samet Akaydin and Altay Bayindir fight for this team; here there is no I, there is a We: we win, we draw and we all lose together. We continue on our way It will be a difficult match against Czechia, but we beat them in the friendly match. We believe and hope to continue on this path. The coach has a strategy in mind, but I can’t say which one It’s a combative and lively team. As a player, I can’t say much.”
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