Turkey boss Montella explains decision to haul Real Madrid ‘genius’ Güler off vs Wales | OneFootball

Turkish national team head coach Vincenzo Montella has provided an insight into his decision to haul star performer Arda Güler off prematurely in the country’s latest outing.

Turkey marked their return to action on Saturday, welcoming Wales to Kayseri for a Nations League clash.

When all was said and done, the two sides were forced to make do with a share of the spoils, unable to conjure up the one required moment of quality to break their opponents down.

It was the hosts who dominated when it came to possession, securing almost two thirds of the ball over the course of the 90 minutes.

Still in search of an all-important opener, it therefore came as something of a surprise when, in the game’s closing stages, the aforementioned Arda Güler was hooked from the action.

Turkey’s creator-in-chief, the 19-year-old was replaced by Kaan Ayhan late on.

Speaking to the media on the back of the full-time whistle at the The Kadir Has Stadium, it therefore came as little surprise when his decision to haul Güler off was put to boss Vincenzo Montella.

And, in his response, Turkey’s headmaster pointed towards the midfielder’s lack of game-time at club level as the decisive factor:

“Getting Arda Güler off the pitch is a really difficult task, you would never want to take him off. He is a genius and a fast football player. He has not played continuously for a long time, so I was convinced that he could not continue physically.”

Conor Laird – GSFN