Montella: March is Our Month to Chase a Giant Dream

Montella Eyes "Big Dream" for Turkey After World Cup Qualifier Draw

Vincenzo Montella, head coach of the Turkish National Football Team, is setting his sights high after a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Spain in their final Group E match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers. The match, played on Spanish soil, saw Turkey display resilience and determination, a performance Montella praised in the post-match press conference.

Montella: March is Our Month to Chase a Giant Drea...

"This match makes me very proud," Montella said, acknowledging the "great sacrifice and incredible struggle" of his players. He emphasized the competitive spirit within the team, asserting that "whoever plays, we are a team with a high percentage of competition." While admitting a win would have been ideal, he expressed happiness with the draw, given the circumstances and the quality of the opposition.

Looking ahead, Montella is already strategizing

Looking ahead, Montella is already strategizing for the crucial play-offs in March. He made it clear that intensive preparation is key. "Now we need to reset everything and continue our work with our best concentration for March," he stated. He added that, “In March, we will all be chasing a big dream together.” What exactly that dream is? Well, qualifying for the World Cup of course!

Interestingly, Montella also highlighted the positive performances of Turkey's youth teams. "Our U-21, U-17 and U-19 teams are also going through a successful period, which makes me happy." He even mentioned specifically how pleased he was with the U-21 team’s recent victory, having previously drawn players from that squad into the senior setup. It's clear he's keeping a close eye on the rising talent within Turkish football.

Beyond the tactical and strategic aspects, Montella expressed particular satisfaction for players facing personal challenges. He singled out Salih, Orkun, Çağlar, and İrfan, all of whom have experienced limited playing time or difficult situations at their respective clubs. He noted that, despite these hardships, they delivered outstanding performances against Spain. He celebrated that these players are “exemplary characters off the field, so when you are so good, there is always help from above.” It's this kind of personal touch, this genuine empathy for his players, that probably makes Montella such an effective leader.

Finally, he requested cooperation from clubs, hoping to secure extra time with his players ahead of the March play-offs. By “talking to the clubs,” he hopes to “play one less match” with them to get his team in top form. It’s a big ask, but one that underscores his commitment to securing Turkey's place on the world stage. It will be interesting to see if he can pull it off. One thing’s for sure, Turkish football fans will be eagerly awaiting March.