Revenge for 1:6

Turks sound off: We have been waiting for Austria

(Bild: AFP, twitter, krone.at-mrgrafik)

Turkish national team players Bertug Yildirim and Ahmetcan Kaplan have confirmed that their team is out for revenge for the 6-1 defeat to Austria in the European Championship round of 16 in March.

 "It's good that it's Austria. We'll be even more motivated against them," said Yildirim at a media event at Turkey's European Championship camp on Saturday. Kaplan reported: "The coach told us that we are waiting for Austria. We have something to make up for against them."

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Yildirim and Kaplan have not featured at the European Championships so far. With central defender Samet Akaydin suspended against Austria in Leipzig on Tuesday, Kaplan, who is under contract with Ajax Amsterdam, is a possible candidate for the starting eleven.

Self-confidence 
The Turks are not lacking in self-confidence. Anything is possible in Germany, said the duo. They are certainly dreaming of the final, said Kaplan. "We look from game to game. If we win this game (against Austria, ed.), I think we'll reach the semi-finals in the worst-case scenario. We have the potential."

Sensational record
Incidentally, the Austrian national team has played 25 games under team boss Ralf Rangnick since he took office in May 2022. With a record of 15 wins and four draws with just six defeats, the German has an average points tally of 1.96 points per game ahead of Tuesday's European Championship round of 16 tie against Turkey in Leipzig - the highest of all previous Austrian national team coaches with at least ten caps.