Latest news with #MerihDemiral
Morocco World
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
USA vs Turkiye: When and How to Watch Friendly Game
Meknes – Connecticut's Pratt & Whitney Stadium welcomes Turkiye today for a friendly that offers both sides a test before the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the US and 2026 World Cup qualifying for Turkiye. Kick-off is set for 8:30 p.m. (GMT+1) and fans can catch the action live on beIN SPORTS, TNT, truTV, Telemundo, Universo (USA). USA's Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has been working all week to mix players from Major League Soccer (MLS) with those who play in Europe. He has focused on fast passing and making the team's defense play higher up the field. ' It was exciting to bring in different players, including players who are making their USMNT debuts ,' Pochettino said during a press conference announcing his pre-CONCACAF Gold Cup team. Turkiye, meanwhile, arrives with momentum after a good performance at the EURO 2024, reaching the quarter-final. In his pre‐match press conference on Thursday, Manager Vincenzo Montella called the US trip 'a chance to experience a different style of play and see where we stand before the World Cup.' Montella's trademark 4-2-3-1 favors vertical surges and collective pressing, a style his players believe can unsettle the hosts. His squad now boasts seasoned leaders like Hakan Çalhanoğlu, with rising young talents like Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız Mustafa Erhan Hekimoğlu, Demir Ege Tiknaz, Mustafa Eskihellac, Yasin Özcan, Berke Özer, and Muhammed Sengezer all earned their first call-ups for this friendly. Defender Merih Demiral sat out the last camp with a minor hamstring issue but is expected to be fit. Meanwhile, Pochettino's 26-man squad features five first-time call-ups: Goalkeeper Chris Brady, defenders Alex Freeman and Quinn Sullivan, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, and forward Damion Downs Sergiño Dest remains sidelined as he is recovering from ACL surgery. Replacing him will be Folarin Balogun. Key match-ups players include Christian Pulisic's creativity against Merih Demiral's strong defending, and midfield, and Gio Reyna's battle with Çalhanoglu for control of tempo. Both federations see the fixture as a chance to fine-tune tactics before the US opens its Gold Cup campaign on June 15 and Turkiye continues World Cup qualifying later this year. Predicted lineups USA: (4-2-3-1) Matt Turner, Folarin Balogun, Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi Turkiye (4-2-3-1) Ugurcan Çakır, Ferdi Kadıoglu, Mert Muldur, Merih Demiral, Zeki Çelik, Hakan Çalhanoglu, Orkun Kokçu, Kenan Yıldız, Arda Guler, Cengiz Under, Umut Bozok Predicted score Home advantage and the creativity of Pulisic and Reyna should give the US the edge, but Turkiye's quality midfield, led by Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Arda Guler, still can net one. Verdict: USA 2–1 Turkiye Tags: beIN SportsFriendly game
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex Atalanta & Juventus Defender Reveals: ‘I Was Close To Joining Inter Milan & AC Milan'
Former Atalanta defender Merih Demiral has revealed that he was close to joining Inter Milan and AC Milan from La Dea. The Turkish international recalled that he nearly transferred to one of the two clubs speaking to Merih Demiral spent a few years playing in Serie A. The Turk played for Sassuolo, where his performances earned him a move to Juventus. Demiral never quite nailed down a starting spot for himself at the Bianconeri, however. Therefore, he ended up heading to Atalanta. And it was in Bergamo that Demiral really became a top-rated defender in Serie A. Demiral thrived playing in the centre of a back three under Gian Piero Gasperini. His physicality allowed him to defend large spaces and patrol the penalty area. But behind the scenes, Merih Demiral fell out with Atalanta coach Gasperini. Therefore, the Turk left to join Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2023. He was one of a number of big names from Europe, and Serie A in particular, to head to Saudi Arabia. However, there was no lack of interest in Demiral's interest in Europe. And in particular in Serie A, there were clubs who wanted to sign Demiral on the basis of his form for Atalanta. Demiral revealed that 'I was close to Milan, and also to Inter.' 'But nothing came of it. Because Atalanta preferred not to sell me.' Meanwhile, Demiral wasn't ruling out a return to Serie A. 'Let's see what happens,' said the 27-year-old. 'In football you never know what will happen.' Demiral said that 'I learned a lot' playing in Serie A. 'It was very important for my career.' 'I still follow the league,' Demiral said. 'Particularly because my compatriots Calhanoglu and Yildiz are playing there.'
