Sergen Yalçın: "We have a college team vibe"

Turkey's national football team lost 2-1 to Belgium in Match 5 of Group 4 of the UEFA Nations League. The Turkish side, who have yet to win a Nations League match, left with another disappointing result.

Head coach Sergen Yalçın said his team started the game well, controlled it completely for 20 to 30 minutes through their pressing, and also scored a goal. Yalçın noted that between the 30th and 45th minutes they gave the game to the opponent, and Belgium turned the chances they found in that period into goals. Saying they created clear chances that could have earned them points from the match, Yalçın added that they are trying to solve the defensive weakness that has been visible in the team for a long time.

Yalçın said some players returning from injury were not physically fit enough, and that the team went into the match after only two training sessions. Praising the friendly atmosphere in the squad, he said, "We have the feel of a college team." He also stressed that defending is not the responsibility of the defenders alone but of the whole team.

Yalçın said Arda is one of the most important players in the team and was again one of its good players today, and that his goal was excellent. He explained his choice of Oğuz by pointing to Oğuz being quick and strong and to the quality of the opponent he would face. Saying that losing is painful but that he is pleased with the players' effort, Yalçın stated that the problems would be resolved over time.