In the final match of the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League campaign, Turkey will visit the Gradski Stadion in Niksic to face Montenegro, a team that has already been relegated. This clash in Group B of League B will be critical for Turkey, as they need a victory to secure promotion to the top tier, League A. With just one match remaining in the group stage, Turkey is positioned two points ahead of Wales, who are hot on their heels. Meanwhile, Montenegro, who have yet to earn a single point, are destined to be relegated and are already planning for life in League C.
Match Context
As the final whistle draws closer in this decisive encounter, Turkey’s objective is clear: a win guarantees them promotion to League A, a significant achievement for the national team. However, any other result leaves the door open for Wales to potentially surpass them at the top of the group, as both teams are level on points in the standings. The two teams are currently tied on head-to-head results, and in the event of a tie, the goal difference will be the determining factor. Turkey holds a favorable advantage in this regard, which gives them an added layer of confidence going into their final match.
Turkey’s last outing in the Nations League saw them take on Wales in a match that ended in a goalless draw. It was a match that the Turkish team will certainly remember, as they came close to securing a crucial win in the final moments. With just minutes left on the clock, Kerem Akturkoglu, the 26-year-old forward from Benfica, had a chance to score from the penalty spot, which would have likely sealed Turkey’s place in League A. Unfortunately, Akturkoglu missed, and the game ended without any goals, leaving the possibility open for Wales to challenge Turkey for the top spot in the group.
Despite the disappointing result, the situation for Turkey is straightforward: win in Niksic, and they will be promoted to League A for the first time in their history. If they fail to win, Wales, who will face Iceland in their final match, could leapfrog them based on a better head-to-head record, as both teams are currently tied on points. Therefore, this game against Montenegro is a must-win for Turkey, and they will approach it with a sense of urgency and determination.
Turkey’s Form and Strategy
Vincenzo Montella, the head coach of Turkey, has instilled a solid approach to his team’s Nations League campaign this year. Although their game against Wales on Saturday was less than spectacular, with no goals being scored, the team’s unbeaten record in the competition up until now is a testament to their resilience and ability to grind out results. Turkey has been a steady force in the group, and their solid defensive record has helped them maintain an advantage over their competitors.
However, it has not been all smooth sailing for the Crescent-Stars. Their previous match against Wales, in which they squandered the opportunity to win with a late penalty miss, underlined the pressure that the Turkish team is under in this final stretch of the tournament. Nevertheless, the team can take solace in their overall performance in the Nations League so far, which has seen them avoid defeat in all of their matches. Montella will be keen to ensure that his players remain focused and execute their game plan with precision.
While Montenegro’s record in this year’s Nations League has been dismal, Turkey will not take them lightly. Their previous match against the Montenegrins in October ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Turkey, with Irfan Kahveci’s second-half goal proving to be the difference. The match in October, played in Turkey, was not a walkover, and Montenegro showed some resilience in the contest. However, in the end, Turkey secured the win, continuing their unbeaten run against their Group B opponents. With the stakes so high in this final match, Montella’s side will be fully aware of the dangers of complacency.
One of the key factors in Turkey’s success has been their strong defense. They have only conceded a handful of goals in the group so far, and their backline will be crucial in this match against Montenegro. Additionally, Turkey’s ability to create scoring opportunities, despite not always converting them, is another aspect that could prove important in this final encounter. Turkey will need to break down Montenegro’s defense efficiently and take any opportunities they get.
Montenegro’s Struggles
For Montenegro, the story has been one of frustration and failure in this Nations League campaign. The Brave Falcons, as they are known, have been relegated from League B to League C for the next Nations League cycle, having failed to pick up a single point in their group so far. Their dismal campaign has been a far cry from their efforts in the 2022-2023 edition, where they managed to retain their place in League B despite facing some tough competition. This season, however, Montenegro has looked out of their depth, and their lack of a competitive edge has been evident throughout.
The Montenegrins have struggled in every aspect of the game, from defense to attack. Their inability to score goals has been particularly concerning, with just one goal to their name in five matches so far. This puts them in the unfortunate position of being one of the least prolific teams in the competition, with only Kazakhstan and Andorra failing to score more. Their recent 2-0 defeat to Iceland in Niksic on Saturday was yet another blow to their hopes, as they were unable to even register a goal despite having played for 70 minutes without conceding.
Montenegro’s relegation is all but confirmed at this point, and it will take a significant upset for them to avoid the drop. Coach Robert Prosinecki has had few positives to take from this Nations League cycle, and his team has looked largely disorganized and outclassed by their opponents. Their inability to compete with the likes of Turkey, Wales, and Iceland has highlighted the gap in quality between Montenegro and the top teams in the group. Despite their struggles, Montenegro will be hoping to at least make things difficult for Turkey in their final game, although it seems unlikely that they will be able to pull off a major surprise.
The Stakes for Both Teams
For Turkey, the stakes are incredibly high. With promotion to League A within their grasp, this is a chance for the national team to make history and take their place among the best teams in Europe. Their performance in this final game will determine whether they can secure that promotion and take their place among the elite in European football. Montella and his team will be fully aware of the importance of this match and will approach it with the necessary focus and intensity to ensure they finish the job.
On the other hand, Montenegro has little to play for other than salvaging some pride in their final match. Their relegation is already confirmed, and their poor form throughout the competition has left them with very little to look forward to. However, they will still hope to give a strong account of themselves in their final match of the campaign, even if the chances of securing a result against a team as strong as Turkey are slim.
In conclusion, this match between Turkey and Montenegro is crucial for the Turkish team as they seek to secure promotion to League A and cement their place among the top footballing nations in Europe. With a clear objective in mind, they will be aiming for a dominant performance in Niksic, against a Montenegro team that has been thoroughly disappointing throughout the competition. While the Brave Falcons have shown glimpses of resistance in past encounters, it is unlikely that they will pose a serious challenge to the Crescent-Stars, who are determined to finish the job and achieve a historic promotion.
