Vincenzo Montella believes Türkiye can emerge stronger from its demanding Nations League campaign, saying the team gained valuable experience against elite opposition despite a 3-1 loss to Italy.

Türkiye were beaten in Bologna in the fourth match of their UEFA Nations League A League Group 1 campaign, but Montella insisted the result did not reflect the progress he believes his team has made. He also sought to clarify previous comments that Türkiye was not accustomed to playing at such a level.

"I think I was misunderstood when I spoke about levels,” Montella said at his postgame news conference. "What I meant was that we need to gain experience. For the first time in our history, we have played four such valuable matches. We can look to the future with hope. These experiences will help us improve.”

Montella praised his players for competing with Italy on equal terms and said the team’s performance was tactically encouraging despite the defeat.

"It was a very good game tactically, an even contest, perhaps one in which we did a little more,” he said. "The result was not what we wanted, but we will use these experiences to improve ourselves, without forgetting that our ultimate goal is the European Championship.”

The Türkiye coach also pointed to the absences in his squad, saying several players capable of making a difference against top opposition were unavailable.

"We had absences that would make a difference for any team, and we felt their absence,” Montella said. "I want to congratulate my players.”

He argued that Türkiye’s younger players held their own against Italy, particularly after the hosts made three second-half substitutions.

"Three of their substitutes had a combined market value of around 350 million ($393 million) to 400 million euros,” Montella said. "That is why I believe we played a very positive tactical game.”

No clinical aspect

Montella rejected the idea that Türkiye has a collective or tactical problem, instead identifying finishing as the area that needs the most attention.

"I don't think we have a collective problem,” he said. "If I thought we had a collective problem in our game, we wouldn't have created so many chances against teams at this level. We have a problem when it comes to scoring goals.”

He cited Türkiye’s recent defeat to Belgium as another example, noting that his team had entered the opponent’s penalty area 40 times compared with Belgium’s 26.

"In modern football, moments make the difference,” Montella said. "We were missing goals. When that happens, the results inevitably turn against you. Our opponents don't forgive even the smallest mistakes.”

The Italian coach said Türkiye’s run to the 2026 World Cup had also raised expectations around the national team, making recent results harder to accept.

"The World Cup success may have disrupted our balance a little because expectations in our country became very high,” Montella said. "As expectations rise, we all want more.”

He added that the support surrounding the team remained strong despite the disappointing results.

"Wherever we go, an army follows us,” Montella said. "They do not need to be proud of the results because they were not what we wanted, but there is certainly a future we can look toward with hope.”

Montella proud to remain in charge

Montella also defended his record since taking charge and said he remained proud of his decision to continue leading Türkiye despite receiving other offers.

"I am proud to be here,” he said. "I am really happy that I stayed because I believe in my players completely.”

He pointed to the emotional support he received from the pilot of the team’s flight as an example of how the national team’s recent success had affected people beyond the football pitch.

The coach acknowledged that the latest period had been more difficult, but insisted the achievements of the previous three years represented only the beginning.

"This period has been a little more painful, but the emotions we created were only the beginning because we want to do more,” Montella said.

He also dismissed the notion that he considers himself the best coach in the world, saying his willingness to keep learning was one of his strengths.

"I don't think I am the best coach in the world,” he said. "I am lucky because I know I can always improve. Everything can change very quickly in this profession, but I am looking ahead with hope and will continue working.”

Montella said the commitment of his players remained his biggest source of motivation.

"Over this three-year period, our players have done incredible things,” he said. "The reason I am so motivated is the work and sacrifices my players have made.”

Experience remains central

Montella said Türkiye must continue developing so it can consistently compete with Europe's strongest teams.

"We have to produce performances that allow us to compete at these levels,” he said. "We can do that by gaining experience.”

He highlighted the team’s unity and tactical discipline as reasons for his optimism.

"We are a team that stays together, tries to execute its game plan in every situation and always helps one another,” Montella said. "That is why I look to our work with hope.”

He also warned that young players can be heavily influenced by criticism and commentary on social media, which he described as another challenge for the team.

"Nowadays, everyone has a weapon in their hands, their phones,” Montella said. "Unfortunately, our young players can be affected by what they read. We will fight that in the best way possible and continue developing until we reach where we want to be.”

Montella also welcomed praise from former Türkiye coach Roberto Mancini, describing his compatriot as a longtime example for him.

"Mancini has always been an example for me,” Montella said. "It makes me happy when he says nice things about me.”

Ultimately, Montella said the defeat in Bologna came down to decisive moments rather than a fundamental difference between the teams.

"We could have been more effective in the penalty area,” he said. "The results depend on certain moments and situations that develop during the game.”