Turkey need a miracle to reach Euro 2020 knockouts: Güneş
Turkey coach Şenol Güneş expects an improvement in his team's performance against Switzerland as they try to salvage their Euro 2020 campaign in Sunday's conclusion to Group A. "We want to show a reaction, right from the start. We want to show that we are good and can keep up," he said on Saturday.
- Sports
- AFP
- Published Date: 06:37 | 19 June 2021
- Modified Date: 06:37 | 19 June 2021
Turkey sit bottom of Group A, without a point or a goal after defeats by Italy in Rome and Wales in Baku.
They face Switzerland on Sunday in the Azeri capital knowing they need to win to keep their slim chances of booking a place in the knockout stage alive.
"We are in a situation where we need a miracle to happen," Güneş said.
"It will be very sad to go home from this tournament without any success.
"After the first game against Italy it felt like it was the end of the world."
Centre-back Çağlar Söyüncü said the most disappointing aspect of the opening losses, a second straight European Championship where Turkey have started with two defeats, was the defence.
"I'm sorry for the result. We want to close the chapter with three points," he said.
"We are all sad, tomorrow is a completely new game. We are really sad to have conceded five goals in two games."
Güneş took over in March 2019 and oversaw victories over World Cup holders France and Euro 2016 quarter-finalists Iceland during the qualifying campaign, losing just once.
The 69-year-old said he is likely to make alterations to his starting line-up from Wednesday's loss to Wales in Azerbaijan.
Left-back Umut Meraş will miss the match with Switzerland and could be replaced by Sassuolo's Mert Müldür.
The likes of AC Milan's Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Fenerbahçe's Ozan Tufan could lose their spots in the team.
"There can be changes. We are below our standard. We still have expectations," he said.
"Umut is not playing tomorrow. We might have a change in midfield."