Sergen Yalçın: I am pleased with the team, we are looking at the match positively

The national team lost 2-1 to Belgium. With this defeat, the team left the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 without a point after their fifth match, and head coach Sergen Yalçın's assessment has made headlines. Yalçın said the team was well concentrated and that the players fought well throughout the whole match.

He said they started the game well, pressed high to put pressure on the opponent, and scored the goal. He stated that between the 30th and 45th minutes they gave control of the game to the opponent. Describing Belgium as a good team, Yalçın noted that the opponent converted the chances they created into goals.

He stressed that the national team has shown defensive weakness for a long time, that they have been trying to solve it, but that they need to compete for longer periods. Noting that conceding easy goals has been a problem for a long time, Yalçın revealed that he has discussed it with the players. He said defending is not only the job of the defenders, that mistakes at this level are normal, and that they will correct them.

Regarding Oğuz Aydın playing at right back, Yalçın recalled that he had said earlier that Zeki Çelik could not be played for 90 minutes since he had just returned from injury. He described Jeremy Doku, who plays in that area for the opponent, as a very good player. He added that he was pleased with Oğuz Aydın's performance.

As for Arda Güler, Yalçın said he is the team's most important player, that he directs the attack by playing in the middle, and that the other players should help Arda.

Source: NTV Spor Skor

Correction (13.11.2026): The national team also lost its fifth match in UEFA Nations League League A Group 1. Removed.