Montella: ‘A New Level for Turkiye, We Played a Little Better Than Italy’

FolioPitch.com – 06 October 2026 | Vincenzo Montella has defiantly declared that Montella A new level for Turkiye we played a little better than Italy, despite a 3-1 defeat to Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium in Bologna. The Turkish head coach insisted his side matched the Azzurri for long periods and even edged the overall performance, but costly defensive lapses and Italy’s star-studded bench proved decisive.

Turkiye took the game to Italy from the outset, enjoying plenty of possession and forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into a couple of smart saves. Their persistence paid off when Aral Simsir cancelled out Gianluca Scamacca’s opener with a thoroughly deserved equaliser. However, Italy’s substitutes turned the tide: Riccardo Calafiori restored the lead from a set piece, and Pio Esposito tapped in a third to seal the win, leaving Turkiye pointless after four Nations League matches.

“I don’t know if frustration is the right word, but we certainly played well,” Montella told RAI Sport after the match. “We played on level terms, and perhaps even did a little more than Italy. We conceded three goals on incidents, it’s not the first time that has happened.” The coach’s comments echoed his earlier sentiment that Montella A new level for Turkiye we played a little better than Italy, highlighting the fine margins that separate his emerging side from Europe’s elite.

Montella, who has faced mounting criticism following Turkiye’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup and a winless Nations League campaign, remains adamant that progress is being made. “It’s not that things aren’t working, this is simply a new level for us,” he explained. “Football can be very simple at times; you are missing important players who change the level of the team. We decided to carry on the process and it’s important for qualification in the Euros too.”

Turkiye were without several key performers throughout the Nations League, including Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz and Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, while suspended Baris Alper Yilmaz and Real Madrid talent Arda Guler also missed the Bologna clash. In their absence, Montella handed opportunities to inexperienced youngsters, a decision he defended passionately. “We introduced young players who don’t have a lot of experience, including at club level, because we are looking to the future,” he said. “If I look at the substitutions Italy made, they introduced Calafiori, Esposito and Sandro Tonali, that’s about €350m in transfer fees. In that sense, nobody can be blamed, let alone those players who held out for long periods both tactically and technically against a high level opponent.”

The statistics underline Montella’s argument. Turkiye enjoyed 54% possession and registered 12 shots to Italy’s 14, with five on target apiece. They also completed 89% of their passes, marginally better than Italy’s 87%. Yet the decisive moments fell to the Azzurri, whose bench strength proved the difference. The table below summarises the key match data:

Montella also reserved praise for Italy’s development under Roberto Mancini, noting the Azzurri’s blend of youthful energy and tactical discipline. “Italy is going down a certain path, they have very interesting young players, and I also saw some of their Under-21 team playing earlier today,” he observed. “They might not have the big star names of the past, but this is a highly-competitive squad, led by a very smart, experienced and balanced coach in Roberto Mancini.”

Despite the defeat, Montella remains focused on the bigger picture. Turkiye’s promotion to Nations League A and their first World Cup qualification in 24 years are significant achievements that often go overlooked amid short-term results. “I am certain that the players will gain a great deal of experience from these matches, because you concede at the slightest error, and that decides the result,” he added. “Many times, the result also decides the way the performance is evaluated.”

For Montella, the message is clear: Montella A new level for Turkiye we played a little better than Italy, and that level requires patience, investment in youth, and a bit of luck in the final third. The coach’s future may hinge on upcoming Euro 2028 qualifiers, but for now, he is adamant that the process is on track.

In conclusion, while the scoreline suggests a comfortable Italy victory, the underlying numbers and Montella’s passionate defence paint a different picture. Turkiye are competing with Europe’s heavyweights, but until they learn to convert dominance into points, the criticism will persist. The road ahead is challenging, yet Montella’s faith in his young squad remains unshaken. Only time will tell if this ‘new level’ translates into tangible success.