Ahead of the second match of the UEFA Nations League group stage, where Turkey will host Italy, Turkey's national team coach Montella, who will face his home country, spoke to Sky Sport Italia.

Perhaps Italy is the national team you least wanted to face, especially in the particular circumstances we're all going through right now. How will this match unfold?

But it will certainly be a...

Will it be decisive in terms of the match result?

Whether it's decisive or not, I don't know, but from every perspective—both tactically and in terms of play—it will certainly be an extremely important match. For me personally, it will definitely be an emotional match with its ups and downs. I really don't want to face Italy, but I will dedicate myself completely to Turkey because they welcomed me, accepted me, and supported me, making me feel like one of them. So when the whistle blows, I will give everything and perform at my best for the country I'm coaching.

On this subject, some outsiders have said that, given the enormous pressure you're currently under—though we're all under pressure—has Montella become "Turkified" too quickly? Or adapted too pragmatically and calculatedly? Do you feel that way?

No, I don't know. Actually, I integrated and adapted quickly to the way of thinking and the spirit here because this mentality is very similar to Southern Italy, where I grew up, so adapting was easy for me.

So what kind of Turkey will we see? Because right now you have quite a few injured and absent players. Can you help us understand Turkey's current squad, especially considering their previous performances? Is your attacking strategy built almost entirely around Arda Güler?

Honestly, I've never liked revealing or announcing the starting lineup before a match, and certainly I don't want to do that now. No, no, we will definitely make some adjustments. After all, playing four matches of this caliber in 11 days means rotation is unavoidable. We have some very serious and important injuries and absences, and even though we've only played two matches so far, the impact of these absences is already clear. But this will also be an opportunity to observe and assess the performances of other players on the pitch. Personally, I believe in gradual progress, in gradually promoting and integrating some young players and talents, and that's exactly what we're doing right now. As for more details, I can't reveal them.

What makes Arda Güler so special?

As a player, he can see and execute tactical movements and passes on the pitch that other players simply cannot see or imagine. He constantly adapts and matures very quickly, both when he has the ball and in defensive phases without the ball. In short, he's a player with unlimited potential for development; he possesses strong drive, ambition, and outstanding talent.

This reminds me of the talent and style of Sampdoria's striker pairing in the 1996/1997 season—Mancini and Montella...

Yes, those were interesting players. If I could play alongside Güler, I would certainly be delighted, just as I enjoyed playing with Roberto (Mancini) back then. Both are players who love providing you with excellent passes and assists so you can score. For me, that's the perfect attacking partnership.

Indeed, so as a former striker, what are your thoughts now on facing a goalkeeper like Donnarumma? Because you probably studied him before the first match, and he's certainly one of our star players...

No doubt about it, as I said in an interview before that match, if I could remove one player from Italy's lineup, Donnarumma would be the one I'd want to remove. He's an exceptionally special player. In short, his range and shot-stopping ability in front of goal are truly remarkable.

One last question: Mancini once praised you by saying your goal-scoring instinct was unmatched. Would you like to respond to that?

I also have a very keen and sharp sense of his outstanding passes (laughs).

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