News Focus
- Vincenzo Montella attended the Europa League final in Istanbul on Thursday evening
- The Turkey boss praised Inter Milan for releasing Hakan Çalhanoğlu early for international duty
- Montella described the midfielder as probably the most important player in his squad
- However, the coach expressed worry over Kenan Yıldız’s ongoing knee inflammation
- The Juventus forward has struggled to train at full capacity for the past two months
Vincenzo Montella watched the Europa League final between Aston Villa and Freiburg in Istanbul on Thursday. The Italian manager spoke to reporters about his plans for the 2026 World Cup.
Montella wants his team to reach the knockout stage in North America. He knows that single matches can bring surprises. The coach warned his players to stay confident but avoid becoming overconfident.
The main worry for Montella is Kenan Yıldız. The Juventus attacker has suffered from knee problems recently. He has not been able to train properly for two months because of inflammation.
“We are a bit concerned about his condition,” Montella admitted. “He cannot train at one hundred per cent. However, he remains enthusiastic and wants to play.”
In better news, Hakan Çalhanoğlu has joined the squad early. Inter Milan allowed their midfielder to leave before the final league match of the season. The club has given all their World Cup players extra rest.
Montella thanked Inter for this decision. Çalhanoğlu can now start training with the national team from Friday. The coach believes the midfielder is vital for their World Cup hopes.
“He is one of our most crucial players,” Montella said. “Perhaps he is the most important of all. We hope he returns to top form quickly.”
The Turkish team will compete in the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Montella hopes both stars will be fit for the tournament.