"Arda Guler can make the difference"

Portugal winger Rafael Leao warned on Friday that his team cannot "give Turkey too much space" because players like Arda Guler and Hakan Calhanoglu can "make the difference" in Friday's second matchday of Group F of Euro 2024 at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, with the atmosphere "difficult" against the Portuguese side.

"We can't give them too much space because individually they can make the difference," warned the Milan player, who did not talk about his continuity or not in the Italian team, because he is "focused on a very important match" like this Friday, in which the Portuguese team is playing for the qualification and the leadership of their quartet.

"I played with Calhanoglu at Milan and he has a lot of quality, a great shot, he is dangerous. Also Guler, who plays for Real Madrid and who, being so young, can already make a difference, as well as Yilmaz, who is a very fast player," he said of his opponents' individual talents. 

"For the wingers, it will be a game with more space (than against the Czech Republic) and we can show our qualities in attack. It will be a nicer game and more in the style of the Portuguese team," he said. 

"I don't know if I will start. I'm prepared. I'm ready," said the striker, who highlighted the team's competition in the attacking zone and said that the "dream" he is living with the Portuguese national team is a "source of pride".

A Turkish majority is expected in the stands for Saturday's match in Dortmund. "We know it will be a difficult atmosphere. There are a lot of Turks in Germany. But we will be able to count on the support of the Portuguese. It's an important match, decisive for our goals at the European Championship," he added.

 

June 22, 2024