Turkiye Coach Montella Praises Donnarumma, Recalls Sampdoria Days with Mancini

Vincenzo Montella, the coach of Turkiye, admitted he would have preferred not to face Italy. If he had his way, he'd single out one player to remove from the opposing lineup.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia before the Nations League game in Bursa, Montella, who will manage against his former strike partner Roberto Mancini, stated, "This is certainly a decisive game. Hugely important. It will be an emotional match; I wouldn't have chosen it. But I will give everything for Turkiye. They welcomed me, supported me, and made me feel like one of them. I’ll give my best for my nation."

Montella: ‘I’d have taken Donnarumma out’

When asked if his staff had analyzed Italy’s goalkeeper, Montella was direct: "I'd have taken him out. An extraordinary player, he covers the goal in an incredible way."

This assessment is fitting. Gianluigi Donnarumma made four saves in a first half against Belgium where Italy conceded 2.39 expected goals, preventing a much worse outcome than the eventual 2-0 defeat.

Montella also faces his own team selection challenges. "We have very important absences. I believe strongly in gradual progress and integrating certain players. Something will change when playing four games at this level; it's inevitable."

He spoke highly of Arda Guler: "A great player. He sees passes others don't. He's improving significantly, including defensively. He can grow further."

The exchange with Mancini was notably warm. Italy's coach had previously commented on Montella's exceptional sense for goal.

"I would have enjoyed playing with Guler, just as I did with Roberto. That was the best for me," Montella remarked. Responding to Mancini’s compliment, he added, "I also sensed his assists well in advance."