Montella: '65 Shots, Not One Goal - It Wasn't Destiny'

Vincenzo Montella, head coach of the Turkish national football team, voiced profound disappointment following their elimination from the World Cup after a loss to Paraguay. "I am very, very sorry. There were great expectations in the country, and ours were also very high," Montella stated, reflecting on the team's performance.

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I am very, very sorry. There were great expectations in the country, and ours were also very high. We took 65 shots in two games, and I don't even want to talk about possession, and failing to score happens once every 50 games. In fact, in 35 years of career, I had never seen anything like it. Destiny was not on our side and I could only tell the players 'you gave your all'.

He highlighted the team's statistical dominance, noting "65 shots in two games" without scoring, an outcome he described as unprecedented in his 35-year career. "Destiny was not on our side, and I could only tell the players 'you gave your all'." Montella emphasized that "everyone fought with incredible commitment. Everyone worked hard, everyone fought hard, but unfortunately, it didn't work out."

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Everyone fought with incredible commitment. Everyone worked hard, everyone fought hard, but unfortunately, it didn't work out.

Montella defended his players against potential criticism, stating, "It is easy to point the finger and criticize one person. There is no need to blame anyone, because we did our best. I am very disappointed." He likened the situation to life, where "things are not always fair" and "you cannot always be happy."

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It is easy to point the finger and criticize one person. There is no need to blame anyone, because we did our best. I am very disappointed.

Despite the setback, Montella remains optimistic about the future, asserting, "We are building a structure, and this has brought us good results. We have young players who are maturing. We want to participate in future tournaments as well. We must continue to show Turkey's fighting spirit. We are all sad, but we must leave the locker room with our heads held high."

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We are building a structure, and this has brought us good results. We have young players who are maturing. We want to participate in future tournaments as well. We must continue to show Turkey's fighting spirit. We are all sad, but we must leave the locker room with our heads held high.