Turkiye coach Montella hails ‘extraordinary’ Donnarumma and reflects on playing days with Mancini
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 24: Head coach Vincenzo Montella of Türkiye talks to the media during a press conference one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Türkiye and USA at Los Angeles Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Vincenzo Montella would rather not have drawn Italy, and if he had a say in the team sheet he would remove one name in particular.
With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Turkiye coach was speaking to Sky Sport Italia before Monday’s Nations League meeting in Bursa, where he comes up against Roberto Mancini, his former strike partner at Sampdoria.
“Certainly a decisive game in terms of the result. In fact, hugely important. It will be an emotional match, I wouldn’t have chosen it,” Montella said. “But I’ll give everything for Turkiye. They welcomed me, supported me and made me feel one of them. I’ll give my best for my nation.”
Montella: ‘I’d have taken Donnarumma out’
Asked whether his staff had studied Italy’s goalkeeper, he did not hesitate. “I’d have taken him out. An extraordinary player, he covers the goal in an incredible way.”
That is a reasonable assessment. Gianluigi Donnarumma made four saves in a first half against Belgium in which Italy conceded 2.39 expected goals, and without him Friday’s 2-0 defeat could have been considerably heavier.
Montella also has selection problems of his own. “We have hugely important absences. I believe a lot in gradual progress and in bringing certain lads in. Something will change, playing four games at this level, it’s inevitable.”
He was complimentary about Arda Guler. “A great player. He sees passes others don’t see. He’s improving a lot, including out of possession. He can grow further.”
The exchange with Mancini was warmer still. Italy’s coach had said the previous day that Montella had a sense for goal like few others.
“I’d have enjoyed playing with Guler, just as I did with Roberto. For me that was the best,” Montella said. Asked about Mancini’s compliment, he replied: “I also sensed his assists a long way in advance.”
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