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Türkiye national football team coach Vincenzo Montella said he believes the team will achieve new successes, ahead of Saturday's UEFA Nations League A Group 1 opener against France in Kocaeli, a city roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Istanbul on the Sea of Marmara.
The Italian coach and midfielder Salih Ozcan spoke at a press conference at Kocaeli Stadium, the match venue.
"We experienced great sadness at the World Cup, but we should not carry past successes or failures into the present," Montella said. "I did not fall into negative thoughts after the World Cup. On the contrary, I wanted to rise. I did not listen to other offers. I believe my heart is here."
Montella said the team will be without several players due to injury, including captain Hakan Calhanoglu, Kenan Yildiz and Mert Muldur, while Orkun Kokcu is carrying a minor knock but has stayed with the squad.
"We trust all the players. They are here because they earned it," he said, calling it the start of a new two-year cycle ahead of European Championship qualifying.
Montella also noted his history facing Zidane as a player, including a loss on penalties in the Euro 2000 final. "Facing Zidane as a coach will also be a great pleasure," he said.
Ozcan said the team was left disappointed by its 2026 World Cup exit and wants to move forward.
"The important thing is to open a new page. France has quality players in every position. We need to pay attention to their attacking players and not allow quick counterattacks," he said, adding he feels in good form under Montella.
France coach Zinedine Zidane, also speaking at Kocaeli Stadium alongside midfielder Adrien Rabiot, said Türkiye remains a strong side despite its group-stage World Cup exit.
"Türkiye is a very good team. In my view, being eliminated in the first round was unexpected. I know tomorrow will be a very difficult match, and they will cause us problems," Zidane said.
Zidane, marking 32 years since his own debut for France, said the team's only plan is to win. Asked about young players called up to the squad, he said the national team "is open to everyone" and that he trusts them. Asked about Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler, Zidane said, "Arda is a very, very good player. I like him."
Rabiot said the team's sole goal is to win and to finish first in the Nations League. He credited Zidane's arrival with added attacking freedom from the full-back positions and called the coach "a legend."
Asked about the atmosphere ahead of the match, Rabiot said: "I know Turkish clubs and the Turkish national team as well. There is a very warm football community here."
Rabiot, who played alongside Turkish defender Merih Demiral at Juventus, said he will be happy to face him on the pitch on Saturday.
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