Vincenzo Montella says he was taken aback by the anger shown by Turkiye supporters during the 4-1 defeat by Italy, after the team’s achievements over the past three years.
The Italian coach had already come under intense pressure following Turkiye’s group-stage elimination from the 2026 World Cup and a 1-0 home defeat by France in the Nations League.
That criticism intensified in Bursa as Italy produced a dominant first half, taking a 3-0 lead through Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi and Michael Kayode.
Barıs Alper Yılmaz reduced the deficit immediately after the interval and later had another goal ruled out for offside. Francesco Pio Esposito then restored Italy’s three-goal advantage to complete the 4-1 victory.
“The first half-hour was certainly one to forget,” Montella told Sky Sport Italia.
He said Turkiye’s recent progress had exposed the demands of playing at a higher level and with a tighter schedule.
“Playing every three days at this level requires a certain focus and experience that we are currently lacking. We were in the Nations League C two years ago, won the Nations League B last time, so we showed that we clearly need to improve in this aspect.
“It requires a mental as well as physical reset every few days, and that isn’t an easy thing to learn quickly.”
Montella was asked why Turkiye had struggled so badly during the opening period against Italy.
“Certainly in the initial approach, they were more prepared mentally. We were uncoordinated, so we ran more and lost belief,” he said.
The home support had begun the match in a positive mood, but frustration quickly turned towards both the players and the coach. Before half-time, sections of the crowd in Bursa were heard calling for Montella to resign, while also demanding the departure of the head of the Turkish Football Federation.
Montella believed the players were treated unfairly after Italy scored their opening goal.
“They jeered the lads too after the first goal, who didn’t deserve it. The atmosphere was marvellous before the game, I really didn’t expect the reaction so quickly after all these lads have done in the last three years,” confessed the Italian coach.
