Turkey Face Belgium in Crucial Nations League Away Match
Turkey travel to Liège to meet Belgium in the third round of UEFA Nations League League A, Group 1. Kick-off at the Maurice Dufrasne Stadium is scheduled for 21:45 Turkish time, with the match to be broadcast live on ATV.
Norwegian referee Rohit Saggi will take charge of the contest. His assistants are compatriots Anders Olav Dale and Ole Andreas Haukasen, while Marius Hansen Grotta has been appointed fourth official.
The teams enter the fixture with very different starts to their campaign. France lead the group on six points after winning both of their opening games. Belgium and Italy have three points apiece, while Turkey are still seeking their first result. The group’s other match sees France host Italy in Paris, also at 21:45.
Turkey lost 1-0 to France in Kocaeli before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Italy in Bursa. Belgium began with a 2-0 away victory over Italy, but then lost 1-0 at home to France. Turkey’s next group assignment will be away to Italy on 5 October.
Squad changes and expected return in goal
Orkun Kökçü has been withdrawn from Turkey’s provisional squad after pain in his toe worsened following the Italy match. Emirhan İlkhan and Yusuf Akçiçek have been promoted from the Under-21 setup to join the senior team for the away fixtures against Belgium and Italy.
Goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır is available again after serving his suspension. He was sent off in Turkey’s opening game against France and consequently missed the match with Italy. His return gives head coach Vincenzo Montella another option between the posts.
The Belgium fixture will be Mark van Bommel’s third match in charge since taking over after the World Cup. Appointed in July to replace Rudi Garcia, he has overseen one win and one defeat in the team’s first two Nations League games.
Probable starting line-ups
Belgium: Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, Seys; Lavia, Tielemans, De Bruyne; Lukebakio, Godts, De Ketelaere.
Turkey: Uğurcan; Zeki, Merih, Abdülkerim, Ferdi; İsmail, Salih; Arda, Yunus, Kerem; Barış Alper.
Turkey’s projected side features a blend of experience and attacking talent. Arda Güler is expected to operate behind the front line, with Yunus Akgün and Kerem Aktürkoğlu providing support for Barış Alper Yılmaz. At the back, the return of Uğurcan could be significant after the team conceded four goals against Italy.
Turkey’s provisional squad
Montella’s 29-man selection includes goalkeepers Altay Bayındır, Muhammed Şengezer, Okan Kocuk and Uğurcan Çakır.
The defensive group consists of Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı, Adil Demirbağ, Emirhan Topçu, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Merih Demiral, Ozan Kabak, Samet Akaydin, Mustafa Eskihellaç, Zeki Çelik and Yusuf Akçiçek.
Midfield options are İsmail Yüksek, Bartuğ Elmaz, Demir Ege Tıknaz, Melih Kabasakal, Salih Özcan and Emirhan İlkhan. The forwards are Aral Şimşir, Arda Güler, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Deniz Gül, Yunus Akgün, Can Uzun, İlhan Fakılı, İrfan Can Kahveci, Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Oğuz Aydın.
Belgium’s provisional squad
Van Bommel’s selection includes four goalkeepers: Jari De Busser, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders and Maarten Vandevoordt. Defenders named are Timothy Castagne, Maxim De Cuyper, Zeno Debast, Koni De Winter, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Kyriani Sabbe, Joaquin Seys and Arthur Theate.
Belgium’s midfield group comprises Kevin De Bruyne, Mandela Keita, Romeo Lavia, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans and Hans Vanaken. The attacking options are Charles De Ketelaere, Malick Fofana, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Mika Godts, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira, Lois Openda and Leandro Trossard.
With France already building a lead at the top, the result in Liège carries added importance for both sides. Belgium can strengthen its position with a home win, while Turkey need points to get their group campaign back on track. A disciplined defensive display and greater efficiency in front of goal will be essential for the visitors.