Turkey face a daunting task to beat Euro 2024 dark horses Austria in the last-16 tonight without their star man Hakan Calhanoglu.
‘The Crescent-Stars’ will have revenge on their minds following a heavy defeat during their last meeting with Ralf Ragnick’s men.
Turkey were humiliated 6-1 by Austria during a March friendly, with Calhanoglu initially equalising on the night before their collapse.
The crushing loss put manager Vincenzo Montella’s future in doubt, but he has since steadied the ship to enjoy a successful Euros so far.
Just over three months later, Turkey renew hostilities with Austria after qualifying second behind Portugal in Group F, live on talkSPORT.
However, they are without their captain Calhanoglu, who has started and played almost every minute of their tournament.
Why is Calhanoglu not playing against Austria?
The 30-year-old is suspended for Turkey’s first knockout game after picking up two yellow cards during the group stages.
Calhanoglu picked up his first caution late on in the opening 3-1 win over Georgia for a clumsy tackle on Giorgi Kochorashvili.
Having stayed out of trouble for the 3-0 defeat to Portugal in the next game, Calhanoglu thought he’d proved the hero for his side once again after scoring in their 2-1 win over the Czech Republic.
But he wasn’t able to escape the attention of card-happy Hungarian referee Istvan Kovacs and was also booked for dissent.
The match – which saw 16 yellow and two red cards – became officially the most ill-disciplined match in European Championship history.
Turkey are without defender Samet Akaydin due to a similar ban, but the team are particularly rueing Calhanoglu’s absence.
Calhanoglu has been a stalwart for club and country in a deep-lying playmaker role having reinvented himself under Simone Inzaghi since making a controversial inner-city switch from AC Milan to Inter in 2021.
“He’s irreplaceable,” Montella said in his pre-match press conference.
Calhanoglu will serve a one-match suspension against Austria, but he will be available should Turkey reach the quarter-finals.
Without him, that seems a tall task and Borussia Dortmund star Salih Ozcan has admitted his team will be badly missing their captain.
“Unfortunately, Hakan Calhanoglu received his second yellow card, as did Samet Akaydin,” said Ozcan via FcInterNews.
“It will be difficult for us. However, if everything goes according to plan, I think whoever plays in their place will give their best and help the team achieve victory.”
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News Summary:
- Why is Hakan Calhanoglu not playing tonight? Turkey without captain for revenge clash with Austria in last-16
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