In a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Turkey national team coach Vincenzo Montella shared his insights on the thrilling Inter-Juventus match, praised young talent Kenan Yildiz, and offered his thoughts on the current state of Italian football.
Montella described the Inter-Juventus game as “a beautiful advertisement for Italian football,” highlighting its open nature and global appeal. He remarked, “It is unusual for us to have such a high-profile match played so openly. It was seen all over the world, providing goals, emotions, comebacks, and brilliant plays.” While acknowledging that there were errors during the match, he noted, “When there are eight goals and many dangerous actions, it’s clear that teams made mistakes. But this happens even when we see many goals in Premier League, La Liga, or Champions League matches. The fans certainly enjoyed themselves.”
When asked about what was missing from Inter’s performance, Montella stated, “They failed 3-4 times to deliver the knockout blow that they usually execute with concreteness and cynicism.” He suggested that victories and a strong sense of self-belief could sometimes lead to a loss of edge: “Many seasons at a high level in Italy and Europe can grow confidence in one’s abilities but may overlook some details.”
Montella was particularly enthusiastic about Kenan Yildiz’s performance during the match: “I’m very happy for him. This satisfaction comes at the right moment. At just 19 years old, he has become the youngest to score a brace in an Inter-Juventus clash. He gave an important response in terms of scoring and playing with his teammates. In Turkey, there is a lot of talk about him, and he deserves it.”
Despite starting on the bench, Yildiz made a significant impact when he entered the game. Montella said, “I had no doubts because he is a mature and ‘mentalized’ boy. He never gets his attitude wrong.” However, he advised Yildiz on areas for improvement: “He needs to learn to attack the goal and be more optimistic in the final 20 meters. So far, he has scored all extraordinary goals; he must also learn to score dirty goals by believing more in rebounds and loose balls.”
On the topic of Motta’s coaching approach at Juventus, Montella emphasized the need for patience: “Coaches are used to pressure. Results matter, but his project has just started; it takes time to shape it and understand where to intervene to complete and improve the team. One step at a time.”
Discussing Napoli’s title challenge alongside Inter, Montella said, “The Napoli will fight with Inter until the end. And I’m not saying this to put pressure on them but to compliment them.” He praised Antonio Conte’s ability to instill a winning mentality: “Antonio has a well-known and important personal history. Few can give the right mentality immediately like he does.”
Montella also commented on AC Milan’s situation: “Milan has the potential to recover after a fluctuating start but must get Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao back on track. If they don’t perform well, it inevitably affects the team.”
Reflecting on Roma’s struggles this season, Montella expressed concern about their relationship with fans: “Roma is experiencing a paradoxical situation… Without Roma’s fans, there is no Roma. We need to recover that relationship first. Romanism is not an empty word; those who have lived Roma know this.”
When asked about potentially coaching Roma again, Montella admitted, “If Roma called me at this moment, it would put me in a strong dilemma. Like anyone who receives a call from a club where they’ve spent most of their career and left a piece of their heart.”
Finally, Montella reflected on his role as Turkey’s national team coach: “Every match is an exam; it’s the life of a coach. Keeping concentration high during an entire European Championship is easy; during the season with players busy with clubs between league and cup matches, it’s more difficult.” He added that he has been actively involved in scouting across Europe: “I don’t stop for a moment. I go to retreats; I travel around Europe seeing all leagues. I’ve become a coach-scout, and this beautiful experience is enriching me greatly.”
