Arda Güler, Digi Mart USA News: Türkiye have now lost all five of their UEFA Nations League games this season, the latest coming against Belgium at the Gürsel Aksel Stadium in Group A action.
Türkiye have been, for the large part, poor at both ends of the field. Without bias, they have been a one-man show, and Arda Güler, on course to become the country’s best ever footballer, would have to pull off the greatest carry job in football history if he is to win anything with this team.
Heading into the match, Türkiye had scored just two goals while conceding 11. They remain the only team in the group with a negative goal difference, currently sitting on −10.
Their problems are multiple. Defensively, they are a sieve, with the tracking non-existent in both goals they conceded tonight.
Their press often breaks down with ease, and they leave an embarrassing amount of room between the lines.
Offensively, they do not compensate. While Güler is the best creator in Europe, the finishing from his teammates is abysmal.
Türkiye are generally fine at keeping the ball and reaching the final third, but beyond that they are largely lost. Kenan Yıldız missing the entire season so far through injury has not helped.
All of this led to Vincenzo Montella being sacked last month, and Türkiye are now certain to be relegated to League B of the Nations League.
In tonight’s match, Türkiye started strongly under new coach Sergen Yalçın. They pinned Belgium deep, kept the ball in the final third, and caused problems with their counter-pressing.
Güler was at the heart of it all, pulling strings across the field and constantly instructing teammates on their runs. In the 20th minute he scored a free-kick for the ages.
Türkiye’s initial surge did not last long. Belgium grew into the game, found space in transition, and eventually took control.
Jérémy Doku’s line-breaking was terrific, and Kevin De Bruyne and Diego Moreira also showed good movement and link-up play. By half-time Belgium had outshot Türkiye and created the better chances, and by full-time they had limited the Turks to an xG of around 0.5.
Türkiye’s next match is against France, which is largely meaningless beyond their own pride. Güler, operating mainly in the right half-space, finished with the most touches of anyone on the field (86), one goal, one key pass and three tackles, completing 90.9% of his passes.
He was fouled five times.
